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
凡以自身之力夺取他人之国而享用之者——或即便享用己有，亦依父之所见而受用者——于此世与后世皆称为“子”。同此义，女亦可如“子”，而父被认作其父，作为其权利与族系之所本。
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.