Shloka 54
स एकदाऽऽगतं गोष्ठे व्याघ्रं गा हिंसितुं बली । श्रुत्वा गोकदनं बुद्धो हंतुं तं खड्गधृग्ययौ
sa ekadā''gataṃ goṣṭhe vyāghraṃ gā hiṃsituṃ balī | śrutvā gokadanaṃ buddho haṃtuṃ taṃ khaḍgadhṛgyayau
Once, a powerful tiger came into the cow-pen to harm the cows. Hearing that the cows were being attacked, the wise man, sword in hand, went forth to slay that beast.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Significance: The verse models dharmic kṣātra-protection (rakṣā) of the innocent; in Śaiva ethics this is caryā aligned with Śiva’s protective-ferocious aspect against adharma.
FAQs
It portrays dharma as active protection of the innocent: the wise person does not remain passive before harm, but acts with clarity and courage—qualities aligned with devotion to Pati (Shiva) as the upholder of order.
Saguna Shiva is revered as the guardian of beings; this narrative mirrors that protective grace. Linga-worship is not mere ritual—its fruit is inner steadiness that expresses outwardly as fearless, dharmic action.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") to cultivate steadiness, combined with a vow of ahiṃsā toward the innocent and readiness to restrain wrongdoing (dharma-rakṣaṇa).