Shloka 23
दक्षस्य प्रजावृद्ध्युपायः — Dakṣa’s Means for Increasing Progeny
मुहुर्मुहुरुवाचेति सुप्रजात्वं शुचां पदम् । शुशोच बहुशो दक्षश्शिवमायाविमोहितः
muhurmuhuruvāceti suprajātvaṃ śucāṃ padam | śuśoca bahuśo dakṣaśśivamāyāvimohitaḥ
Again and again Dakṣa spoke of “excellent progeny,” yet he only entered deeper into sorrow. Deluded by Śiva’s māyā, Dakṣa lamented repeatedly.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse shows how attachment to worldly aims—here, pride in progeny—creates repeated grief when the mind is veiled by Śiva’s māyā. From a Śaiva Siddhānta lens, this is the working of pāśa (bondage): ego and attachment obscure devotion and right understanding, leading to sorrow until surrender to Pati (Śiva) arises.
Dakṣa’s delusion contrasts with the stabilizing refuge of Saguna Śiva worship—Linga pūjā, mantra, and reverence—which purify ego and reorient the seeker from lineage-pride to Śiva-centered dharma. The narrative implies that without honoring Śiva, worldly accomplishments do not prevent inner suffering.
A practical takeaway is to counter māyā-driven agitation with daily Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Linga-abhiṣeka, cultivating humility and surrender. If following Shiva Purana practice, applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and wearing Rudrākṣa can support steadiness and remembrance of Śiva.