Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
दाक्षयज्ञप्रस्थान-प्रश्नः
Satī Inquires about the Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
अनाहूताश्च ये देवी गच्छंति परमंदिरम् । अवमानं प्राप्नुवंति मरणादधिकं तथा
anāhūtāśca ye devī gacchaṃti paramaṃdiram | avamānaṃ prāpnuvaṃti maraṇādadhikaṃ tathā
O Göttin, wer ohne Einladung in die erhabene Wohnstatt eines anderen geht, zieht Schmach auf sich—eine Demütigung, die als schlimmer als der Tod gilt.
Lord Shiva (advising Sati in the Daksha-yajña context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: The verse functions as dharma-nīti within the Dakṣa episode: uninvited entry into another’s ‘parama-mandira’ (here, Dakṣa’s sacrificial venue/house) results in avamāna; it anticipates Satī’s affront and the catastrophic unraveling of the yajña.
Significance: Ethical instruction for pilgrims: do not pursue sacred spaces through ego/impulse; approach with proper invitation/adhikāra and humility, otherwise the ‘pilgrimage’ becomes a cause of suffering.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches dharmic discernment: self-respect and spiritual dignity should not be sacrificed for worldly attachment; seeking honour through improper approach leads to inner fall, which Shaiva tradition regards as a fate worse than bodily death.
It reflects Saguna Shiva’s compassionate guidance as the Guru: true worship of Shiva is aligned with dharma and humility, not with ego-driven social validation; devotion must be accompanied by right conduct.
Practice restraint and inwardness: before any pilgrimage or temple visit, cultivate humility and invoke Shiva with the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering mental worship rather than acting from impulse or pride.