Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35
अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka
Genealogy and Nature
राज्यं परस्य स्वबलेन हृत्वा भुंक्तेऽथवा स्वं पितुरेव दृष्टम् । च प्रोच्यते पुत्र इह त्वमुत्र पुत्री स तेनापिभवेत्पितासौ
rājyaṃ parasya svabalena hṛtvā bhuṃkte'thavā svaṃ pitureva dṛṣṭam | ca procyate putra iha tvamutra putrī sa tenāpibhavetpitāsau
Ang sinumang sa sariling lakas ay sumamsam sa kaharian ng iba at tinatamasa iyon—o tinatamasa maging ang sariling bahagi ayon sa pananaw ng ama—ay dito at sa kabilang-buhay tinatawag na “anak na lalaki.” Sa gayong diwa, ang anak na babae man ay nagiging wari’y “anak na lalaki,” at ang ama ay kinikilalang ama niya bilang pinagmumulan ng karapatan at angkan.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic teaching to the sages, within the Yuddha-khaṇḍa discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It frames worldly power and inheritance under dharma: strength and entitlement must be understood ethically, reminding devotees that true sovereignty is aligned with Shiva’s order (dharma), not mere force.
By subordinating kingship and lineage to dharma, it points to Saguna Shiva as the divine governor of moral order; worship of the Liṅga cultivates humility and restraint so power is not abused.
Practice self-restraint with daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and mental offering of one’s authority and possessions into Shiva’s hands, treating them as duties rather than personal entitlement.