Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
भूतत्रिपुरधर्मवर्णनम् (Description of the Dharma/Conduct of the Bhūta-Tripura) — Chapter 3
शिव उवाच । अयं वै त्रिपुराध्यक्ष पुण्यवान्वर्ततेऽधुना । यत्र पुण्यं प्रवर्तेत न हंतव्यो बुधैः क्वचित्
śiva uvāca | ayaṃ vai tripurādhyakṣa puṇyavānvartate'dhunā | yatra puṇyaṃ pravarteta na haṃtavyo budhaiḥ kvacit
Śiva dit : «Ce seigneur de Tripura, à présent, est pourvu de mérite et établi dans le dharma. Là où le mérite se manifeste en acte, les sages ne doivent jamais le tuer, en aucune circonstance.»
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga; Śiva’s statement introduces a dharma-ethical constraint: one presently established in puṇya should not be slain—highlighting Śiva as the supreme arbiter of karmic timing and rightful action.
Significance: Spiritual lesson: discernment (viveka) in action—aligning even warfare with dharma—invites Śiva’s grace and prevents adharmic retaliation.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches Shaiva discernment: even amid conflict, dharma and puṇya are real spiritual forces; when virtue is manifest in a being, the wise restrain violence and act in alignment with higher righteousness under Shiva’s guidance.
As Saguna Shiva, the Lord governs dharma in the world and instructs devotees to align action with purity and merit; Linga-worship cultivates this inner discrimination (viveka) so one does not act from rage but from Shiva-centered righteousness.
Practice japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to steady buddhi before action, and apply vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) as a reminder to restrain harmful impulses and act only in accordance with dharma.