Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
दक्षस्य प्रजावृद्ध्युपायः — Dakṣa’s Means for Increasing Progeny
नारद उवाच । ब्रह्मन्विधे महा प्राज्ञ वद नो वदतां वर । दक्षे गृहं गते प्रीत्या किमभूत्तदनंतरम्
nārada uvāca | brahmanvidhe mahā prājña vada no vadatāṃ vara | dakṣe gṛhaṃ gate prītyā kimabhūttadanaṃtaram
قال نارَدَة: «يا براهما، يا مُدبِّر الخلق وخالقه، يا عظيم الحكمة—يا خير المتكلمين—أخبرنا: حين ذهبتَ بمودّة إلى بيت دَكشا، ماذا وقع مباشرةً بعد ذلك؟»
Narada
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It sets up the Sati Khanda’s central lesson: events unfold from intention and attitude—affection and inquiry lead to the revelation of how ego in ritual (yajña) can oppose devotion to Pati (Śiva), the supreme Lord.
Though the verse is a narrative question, it initiates the Daksha-related episode where respect or disrespect toward Shiva (the Saguna Lord worshipped as Linga) becomes the decisive spiritual fault-line, showing devotion is superior to mere ceremonial status.
The implied takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and humility: hear sacred history with reverence, and ground one’s practice in bhakti—supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) rather than pride in external rites.