Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 43
शिवस्तुतिवर्णनम् (Śiva-stuti-varṇanam) — “Description of Hymns in Praise of Śiva”
राज्ञस्तस्य न तत्पापं विद्यते धर्मतस्तव । तस्माद्रक्षेद्द्विजान् साधून्कंटकाद्वै विशोधयेत्
rājñastasya na tatpāpaṃ vidyate dharmatastava | tasmādrakṣeddvijān sādhūnkaṃṭakādvai viśodhayet
Bagi raja itu, tiada dosa sedemikian timbul, selama ia bertindak menurut dharma. Maka hendaklah ia melindungi para dvija dan orang-orang suci, serta membersihkan negeri daripada “duri”—kuasa yang memudaratkan dan menghalang kebaikan.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It teaches that worldly power becomes spiritually safe only when aligned with dharma—protecting the virtuous and removing oppressive forces supports the divine order (Shiva’s cosmic governance) and prevents karmic downfall.
Saguna Shiva is revered as the Lord of dharma and protector of devotees; a ruler who upholds dharma mirrors Shiva’s guardianship, creating a realm where worship, yajña, and Linga-devotion can flourish without obstruction.
The verse implies dharmic discipline as practice: daily worship and inner restraint alongside outward protection of sādhus; as a Shaiva takeaway, one may reinforce this with japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while cultivating non-harm and protection of the righteous.