Shloka 12
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
ब्रह्मोवाच । विष्णोस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दक्षश्चिंतापरोऽभवत् । विवर्णवदनो भूत्वा तूष्णीमासीद्भुवि स्थितः
brahmovāca | viṣṇostadvacanaṃ śrutvā dakṣaściṃtāparo'bhavat | vivarṇavadano bhūtvā tūṣṇīmāsīdbhuvi sthitaḥ
Brahmā said: Hearing those words of Viṣṇu, Dakṣa became consumed by anxious thought. His face lost its color, and standing there upon the earth, he remained silent.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It shows how a mind bound by pāśa (ego, status, and anxiety) becomes inwardly paralyzed; Dakṣa’s pallor and silence indicate the spiritual consequence of pride when confronted with divine counsel, a key Shaiva theme that only humility opens the way to Śiva-bhakti.
Viṣṇu’s words function as corrective dharma, urging alignment with the Supreme Lord (Śiva) who is worshipped as Saguna through the Liṅga; Dakṣa’s disturbed reaction highlights the contrast between ritual done with ego and worship done with surrender.
The takeaway is to pause in silence (mauna), examine one’s intention, and approach Śiva with repentance and devotion—supporting practices like japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and a humble, purified mindset before any rite.