Shloka 2
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
रक्षकस्त्वं मखस्यैव मखकर्मा मखात्मकः । कृपा विधेया यज्ञस्य भंगो भवतु न प्रभो
rakṣakastvaṃ makhasyaiva makhakarmā makhātmakaḥ | kṛpā vidheyā yajñasya bhaṃgo bhavatu na prabho
You alone are the protector of this sacrifice; you are its very action and its inner essence. O Lord, show compassion—let this yajña not be ruined.
Dakṣa (addressing Lord Śiva)
Tattva Level: pashu
Type: stotra
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
The verse affirms that Śiva is Pati—the indwelling Lord and final refuge—without whose grace even sacred ritual loses its power; true sanctity arises from humility and devotion, not mere ceremony.
Calling Śiva the protector and essence of yajña points to Saguna worship: the devotee turns to the manifest Lord (often adored as the Liṅga) as the living center of all offerings and rites, seeking His anugraha (grace) to make worship fruitful.
It suggests bhakti-filled surrender before ritual—invoking Śiva for protection of one’s worship; practically, begin pūjā with sincere prayer and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to align the rite with Śiva’s grace.