Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
विष्णो त्वं कर्मणां साक्षी यज्ञानां प्रतिपालकः । धर्मस्य वेदगर्भस्य ब्रह्मणस्त्वं महाप्रभो
viṣṇo tvaṃ karmaṇāṃ sākṣī yajñānāṃ pratipālakaḥ | dharmasya vedagarbhasya brahmaṇastvaṃ mahāprabho
O Viṣṇu, Du bist der Zeuge aller Handlungen und der Hüter der Opfer. Du bist der mächtige Herr, der das Dharma trägt—das im Schoß der Veden wurzelt—und Du bist auch der große Erhalter Brahmās.
Sati (addressing Lord Vishnu)
Tattva Level: pati
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse highlights divine oversight of karma and yajña: the Lord is the inner witness (sākṣī) who ensures that Veda-rooted Dharma is upheld, reminding devotees that outer ritual must align with inner righteousness.
Within a Shaiva reading, it complements Linga worship by stressing that all sacred acts (karma, yajña, dharma) are ultimately validated by the Supreme Lord; Linga devotion emphasizes offering every action as worship, beyond mere ritual performance.
Perform daily duties as karma-yajña with the awareness of the inner Witness—supporting practice such as japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and offering actions mentally at the Linga as an inner sacrifice.