Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 10
कार्त्तिकेयान्वेषण-नन्दिसंवाद-वर्णनम्
Search for Kārttikeya and the Nandī Dialogue
सभयं नापतत्क्षिप्रं स चेद्दंडं न चार्हति । शक्तौ राजा न शास्ता यः प्रजाबाध्यश्च भक्षकः
sabhayaṃ nāpatatkṣipraṃ sa ceddaṃḍaṃ na cārhati | śaktau rājā na śāstā yaḥ prajābādhyaśca bhakṣakaḥ
ผู้ใดแม้หวาดกลัวแต่ไม่รีบแสวงที่พึ่ง ย่อมไม่สมควรถูกลงพระอาญาโดยพระราชา; แต่พระราชาผู้มีอำนาจแล้วไม่ห้ามความชั่ว ย่อมกลับเป็นผู้เขมือบราษฎร เป็นผู้กดขี่ทำร้ายประชาชนเอง
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse frames dharma as protective order: those who refuse rightful refuge cannot blame divine or royal justice, while rulers who neglect restraint misuse Shiva-given power and become agents of adharma—binding themselves and society in pasha (bondage).
In Shaiva thought, Saguna Shiva upholds cosmic order; honoring the Linga is also honoring Shiva as the inner ruler who sustains dharma. A king must mirror that divine governance—protecting, correcting, and never exploiting the praja.
Practice self-restraint and truthful conduct as a daily vrata; accompany it with japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to purify intention so power is used for protection rather than harm.