Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 4
दक्षयज्ञ-प्रसङ्गे देवतानां आश्वासनं तथा दण्डविधानम् | Consolation of the Devas and the Ordinance of Consequences in the Dakṣa-Yajña Episode
नाघं तनौ तु बालानां वर्णमेवानुचिंतये । मम मायाभिभूतानां दंडस्तत्र धृतो मया
nāghaṃ tanau tu bālānāṃ varṇamevānuciṃtaye | mama māyābhibhūtānāṃ daṃḍastatra dhṛto mayā
“我不观照无辜者身中的过失，只观其本有之性；然而对被我之摩耶（Māyā）所覆者，我于彼处设立惩戒，以作约束。”
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva, as Pati (the Lord), is compassionate toward the innocent and looks to the soul’s disposition, yet He also upholds dharma by instituting daṇḍa (corrective discipline) for beings deluded by Māyā so they may return toward right conduct and liberation.
As Saguna Shiva, the Linga embodies Shiva’s gracious governance of the world—both mercy and moral order. Worship acknowledges Him as the inner ruler who removes Māyā’s veil and guides devotees from bondage (pāśa) toward freedom.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with self-examination: surrender faults to Shiva, cultivate childlike sincerity, and follow dharmic restraints as a form of inner daṇḍa that weakens Māyā.