Shloka 22
Ikṣvāku-vaṃśa-prasaṅgaḥ — Genealogy of the Ikṣvāku Line and Exempla of Royal Dharma
ईदृशो नहि राजेन्द्र क्वचिद्धर्मः प्रविद्यते । प्रजानां पालने यादृक् पुरा राजर्षिभिः कृतः
īdṛśo nahi rājendra kvaciddharmaḥ pravidyate | prajānāṃ pālane yādṛk purā rājarṣibhiḥ kṛtaḥ
O king of kings, such a dharma is found nowhere else—the very dharma practiced of old by the royal seers in guarding and sustaining their subjects.
Lord Shiva (instructing a king on righteous governance)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that protecting beings is a sacred dharma: when governance is rooted in righteousness and compassion, it becomes a Shaiva offering—service to Shiva as the inner Lord (Pati) present in all subjects.
In Saguna Shiva devotion, the ruler sees Shiva in all forms; protecting the people is treated as worshipful duty, aligning outer action (rajadharma) with inner reverence for Shiva’s presence symbolized by the Linga.
The practical takeaway is to sanctify one’s duty with Shiva-smarana: mentally offer actions to Shiva while repeating the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) before decisions, keeping conduct pure and protective.