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
Sinabi ni Śiva: “Ang panginoon ng Tripura na ito ay sa ngayon ay may kabanalan at nakatatag sa dharma. Kung saan ang kabutihang-loob ay hayag na umiiral, ang marurunong ay hindi kailanman dapat pumatay, sa anumang pagkakataon.”
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.