Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
देव-गण-समरः
Devas and Śiva’s Gaṇas Engage in Battle
यज्ञकर्मा यज्ञरूपो यज्ञांगो यज्ञरक्षकः । रक्ष यज्ञमतो रक्ष त्वत्तोन्यो न हि रक्षकः
yajñakarmā yajñarūpo yajñāṃgo yajñarakṣakaḥ | rakṣa yajñamato rakṣa tvattonyo na hi rakṣakaḥ
Du bist die Handlung des Yajña selbst, seine Gestalt, ein Glied des Yajña und sein Beschützer. Darum beschütze dieses Yajña—beschütze es, denn außer Dir gibt es wahrlich keinen anderen Beschützer.
Sati (addressing Lord Shiva in the context of the Daksha-yajña episode)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Mantra: यज्ञकर्मा यज्ञरूपो यज्ञांगो यज्ञरक्षकः । रक्ष यज्ञमतो रक्ष त्वत्तोन्यो न हि रक्षकः
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Sati
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse declares Shiva as both the inner essence and guardian of all sacred action (yajña). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, rites bear fruit only when aligned with Pati (Shiva); He alone grants protection and completion through grace, not mere ritual mechanics.
It supports Saguna worship by affirming that the worshipped Lord is not separate from the act of worship itself—Shiva is present as the sacrifice’s form, limbs, and protector. Linga worship similarly treats Shiva as the indwelling reality who receives and perfects offerings.
Offer the yajña (or daily worship) with surrender: invoke Shiva as the protector before and during worship, and internally contemplate, “Shiva is the doer and the offering.” This can be paired with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to anchor the rite in devotion.