Shloka 41
तस्मात्प्रयच्छ भार्यां स्वामियां कामो न मेऽपरः । अरक्षणाद्भयार्तानां गन्तासि निरयन्ध्रुवम्
tasmātprayaccha bhāryāṃ svāmiyāṃ kāmo na me'paraḥ | arakṣaṇādbhayārtānāṃ gantāsi nirayandhruvam
Therefore, hand over the wife to her rightful lord— I desire nothing else. If, through your failure to protect those who are terrified and seeking refuge, harm befalls them, you will surely go to hell.
A righteous admonisher within the narrative (a dharmic authority figure addressing a negligent protector/king)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It asserts dharma as protection of the vulnerable: refusing to safeguard those who seek refuge becomes a grave fault that binds one to suffering, whereas righteous conduct supports inner purity needed for Shiva’s grace and liberation.
Linga-worship is not merely ritual; it must be supported by dharmic living. Serving and protecting the frightened and helpless is a practical expression of devotion to Saguna Shiva, the compassionate Lord who shelters devotees.
A takeaway is to pair daily Shiva worship (Pañcākṣarī japa—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”, Tripuṇḍra with bhasma, and rudrākṣa) with the vow of abhaya-dāna—offering protection, reassurance, and refuge to those in fear.