तं दृष्ट्वा भीतभीतो ऽपि दक्षो दृढ इव स्थितः । क्रुद्धवद्वचनं प्राह को भवान् किमिहेच्छसि
taṃ dṛṣṭvā bhītabhīto 'pi dakṣo dṛḍha iva sthitaḥ | kruddhavadvacanaṃ prāha ko bhavān kimihecchasi
Als Daksha ihn erblickte, stand er, obgleich vor Furcht bebend, wie entschlossen da; und mit Worten wie im Zorn sprach er: „Wer bist du? Was begehrst du hier?“
Daksha
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage. Dakṣa’s fearful defiance illustrates bondage (pāśa) through pride and ritual-ego, which veils recognition of Śiva’s sovereignty.
Significance: Teaches that arrogance in religious authority (yajña-ahaṅkāra) is a form of pāśa; humility is prerequisite for Śiva’s anugraha.
It portrays the soul’s (pashu’s) conflicted state under pasha—fear and pride together—where ego tries to appear firm while lacking true surrender to Pati (Shiva).
Daksha’s angry challenge contrasts with the proper approach to Saguna Shiva—reverent recognition of the Lord’s presence (often through the Linga) rather than demanding control or credentials from the divine.
A takeaway is to replace reactive anger with japa and humility—mentally returning to the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to steady the mind before worship or decision-making.