Shloka 14
Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance
विद्यातपोव्रतधरान् मुखत: स्म विप्रान् ब्रह्मात्मतत्त्वमवितुं प्रथमं त्वमस्राक् । तद्ब्राह्मणान् परम सर्वविपत्सु पासि पाल: पशूनिव विभो प्रगृहीतदण्ड: ॥ १४ ॥
vidyā-tapo-vrata-dharān mukhataḥ sma viprān brahmātma-tattvam avituṁ prathamaṁ tvam asrāk tad brāhmaṇān parama sarva-vipatsu pāsi pālaḥ paśūn iva vibho pragṛhīta-daṇḍaḥ
O mighty Lord, you were first manifested from Brahmā’s mouth to protect the brāhmaṇas who uphold learning, austerity, and vows, so they may preserve realization of Brahman and the Self. Thus, in every danger you guard the brāhmaṇas and their disciplines, as a cowherd holds a staff to protect the cows.
The specific function of a human being in society, irrespective of his social status, is to practice control of the mind and senses by observing the regulative principles enjoined in the Vedic śāstras. Lord Śiva is called paśupati because he protects the living entities in their developed consciousness so that they may follow the Vedic system of varṇa and āśrama. The word paśu refers to the animal as well as to the human entity. It is stated here that Lord Śiva is always interested in protecting the animals and the animalistic living entities, who are not very advanced in the spiritual sense. It is also stated that the brāhmaṇas are produced from the mouth of the Supreme Lord. We should always remember that Lord Śiva is being addressed as the representative of the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu. In the Vedic literature it is described that the brāhmaṇas are born from the mouth of the universal form of Viṣṇu, the kṣatriyas are born from His arms, the vaiśyas from His abdomen or waist, and the śūdras from His legs. In the formation of a body, the head is the principal factor. The brāhmaṇas are born from the mouth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in order to accept charity for worship of Viṣṇu and to spread Vedic knowledge. Lord Śiva is known as paśupati, the protector of the brāhmaṇas and other living entities. He protects them from the attacks of non- brāhmaṇas, or uncultured persons who are against the self-realization process.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord first manifested the brāhmaṇas to preserve spiritual truth (Brahman and the self) and therefore He especially protects them in every danger, like a herdsman guarding his cattle.
In the context of Daksha’s disrupted sacrifice and the ensuing crisis, Brahmā highlights that safeguarding those who uphold Vedic knowledge and vows is central to the Lord’s maintenance of dharma and spiritual order.
Support and protect genuine spiritual education, integrity, and disciplined practice—honoring those who preserve wisdom and live by vows—so society remains anchored in higher values.