Shloka 61
The Destruction of Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
सत्येन तेन ते यज्ञं विध्वंसयतु शंकरः । यद्यस्ति मे तपः किंचित्कश्चिद्धर्मोथवा कृतः
satyena tena te yajñaṃ vidhvaṃsayatu śaṃkaraḥ | yadyasti me tapaḥ kiṃcitkaściddharmothavā kṛtaḥ
Durch diese meine Wahrheit möge Śaṅkara euer Opfer zerstören. Wenn in mir auch nur ein wenig Askese ist oder irgendein Dharma, den ich vollbracht habe—
Unspecified (context required from surrounding verses); the verse is a speaker’s truth-assertion/curse invoking Śiva (Śaṅkara).
Concept: Satya and tapas generate a potent moral force; ritual without humility and right conduct becomes vulnerable.
Application: Let spiritual practice (tapas, vows, worship) refine character; do not use ritual as social domination; guard speech—truthful words carry consequences.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a blazing yajña-śālā, priests freeze mid-chant as an ascetic raises his hand in a vow of truth, eyes fierce yet controlled. The sacrificial fire flares unnaturally, and behind the smoke a terrifyingly calm Śaṅkara-form begins to manifest—ash-smeared, crescent-crowned—drawn by the force of satya and tapas.","primary_figures":["a tapasvin speaker (unidentified)","Śaṅkara (invoked)","hotṛ/adhvaryu priests","yajamāna (sponsor)","attendant devas (subtle)"],"setting":"Ritual pavilion with vedi, ladles, soma vessels, and garlanded pillars; fire altar at center.","lighting_mood":"firelit, ominous, ritual intensity","color_palette":["flame orange","smoke gray","ruddy vermilion","charcoal black","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central yajña fire with thick gold-leaf flames; ascetic in front making a satya-sankalpa gesture; Śaṅkara emerging in the background with gold halo, crescent moon and trident, ash-white body; ornate pavilion pillars with embossed gold, rich maroons and greens, jewel-like detailing on vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate yajña pavilion with delicate linework; the ascetic’s intense expression contrasted with refined priestly figures; smoke curls reveal Śaṅkara’s silhouette; warm firelight against cool night blues; lyrical yet tense composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized flames, large-eyed Śaṅkara appearing from smoke; ascetic in strong profile; red/yellow/green dominance with black accents; temple-wall aesthetic emphasizing ritual geometry of the altar.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical altar scene framed by floral borders; stylized flames and ritual vessels as repeating motifs; Śaṅkara as a patterned ash-white mandala presence above the fire; deep indigo background with gold highlights, intricate ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling fire","Vedic chant fragments","sudden silence","damaru beat (distant)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यद्यस्ति = यदि + अस्ति; किंचित्कश्चित् = किंचित् + कश्चित्; धर्मोथवा = धर्मः + अथवा
FAQs
It asserts that truth (satya), backed by personal tapas and dharma, has spiritual force—strong enough that the speaker calls upon Śaṅkara (Śiva) to destroy an opponent’s yajña.
In Purāṇic narrative logic, Śiva is often portrayed as the divine force that can interrupt or overturn ritual when it is tainted by pride, injustice, or adharmic intent; the verse frames the interruption as justified by the speaker’s satya.
Ritual power is not merely procedural; it is morally conditioned. Truthfulness, austerity, and righteous conduct are presented as higher authorities that can validate—or nullify—ritual action.