Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 42
द्विजेश्वरावतारः
The Manifestation of Shiva as Dvijeśvara
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति विप्रगिरा भीतश्चिन्तयामास पार्थिवः । अरक्षणान्महापापं पत्नीदानन्ततो वरम्
nandīśvara uvāca | iti vipragirā bhītaścintayāmāsa pārthivaḥ | arakṣaṇānmahāpāpaṃ patnīdānantato varam
南迪什瓦拉说：国王被婆罗门的话吓坏了，心想：“不保护（寻求庇护的人）是大罪；因此，（响应婆罗门的要求）交出我的妻子是更好的选择。”
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma as a Shaiva virtue: failing to protect one who seeks refuge is declared a grave sin, urging the ruler to choose the path that minimizes adharma and preserves moral accountability before Śiva, the inner witness (Pati).
In Saguna Śiva worship, devotion is validated by conduct—especially protection, truthfulness, and responsibility. The Linga represents Śiva as the moral ground of the universe; thus, dharmic protection becomes an offering aligned with Śiva’s order.
A practical takeaway is to pair worship with sankalpa for dharma: perform japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") while cultivating the vow to protect the vulnerable and avoid the great fault of arakṣaṇa (failure to protect).