Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
शिवानुकम्पा, ब्रह्मणो निर्भयत्वं च (Śiva’s Compassion and Brahmā’s Fearlessness)
विष्ण्वादयस्सुरास्सर्वे मरीच्याद्यास्तथर्षयः । दक्षोपि मोहितश्चासीत्तथान्ये निश्चला जनाः
viṣṇvādayassurāssarve marīcyādyāstatharṣayaḥ | dakṣopi mohitaścāsīttathānye niścalā janāḥ
إنَّ فيشنو وسائر الآلهة جميعًا، والحكماء ابتداءً بمريچي، وحتى دكشا نفسه قد أُصيبوا بالوهم؛ وكذلك وقف آخرون من الناس مبهوتين لا يتحرّكون.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It teaches that māyā can bewilder even exalted devas and ṛṣis; only surrender to Pati (Lord Śiva) and humility dissolve the ego that fuels delusion.
The narrative underscores that reliance on status or intellect is insufficient; worship of Saguna Śiva—especially through the Śiva-liṅga with devotion—centers the mind in the Lord beyond māyā.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a humble mind; this is a direct antidote to pride-born delusion highlighted by Dakṣa’s condition.