Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 40
अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace
उपेक्षापीह दोषाह रक्ष्येषु प्रतियोगिषु । शक्तौ सत्यामुपेक्षातो रक्ष्यस्सद्यो विपद्यते
upekṣāpīha doṣāha rakṣyeṣu pratiyogiṣu | śaktau satyāmupekṣāto rakṣyassadyo vipadyate
แม้ในที่นี้ ความเพิกเฉยต่อผู้ที่พึงคุ้มครอง และต่อผู้ที่เป็นปฏิปักษ์ของเขา ย่อมเป็นโทษ เมื่อมีกำลังแล้วกลับละเลย ผู้ที่อยู่ใต้การคุ้มครองย่อมพินาศโดยเร็ว
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; the verse emphasizes rakṣaṇa (protection) as dharma—resonant with Śiva as Paśupati, guardian and governor who sustains order (sthiti) by empowering protection.
FAQs
It teaches that upekṣā (culpable indifference) is itself a doṣa: when one has the capacity to uphold dharma and protect others, neglect becomes a moral and spiritual failure that leads to immediate harm.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely ritual; it must express Shiva’s dharma as Pati (the Lord who upholds order). Devotion to Saguna Shiva implies active responsibility—protecting what is righteous rather than remaining indifferent when one can act.
Practice daily Shiva-smaraṇa with the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and cultivate sankalpa for dharmic action—reducing upekṣā by consciously serving and protecting dependents as an offering to Shiva.