Shloka 25
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
तत्सत्यं तु त्वयोक्तं हि किं तत्तस्य व्यतिक्रमः । शृणु त्वं वच्म्यहं दक्ष क्रूरबुद्धिं त्यजाऽधुना
tatsatyaṃ tu tvayoktaṃ hi kiṃ tattasya vyatikramaḥ | śṛṇu tvaṃ vacmyahaṃ dakṣa krūrabuddhiṃ tyajā'dhunā
What you have spoken is indeed true—why, then, should it be transgressed? Listen, O Dakṣa, as I speak: abandon this cruel-mindedness now.
Satī (addressing Dakṣa)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; Satī begins direct moral-theological correction of Dakṣa, urging abandonment of cruelty—an opening toward grace through right understanding.
Significance: Models śaraṇāgati to Śiva-tattva through Satī’s compassionate yet firm instruction; emphasizes inner reform as prerequisite for auspicious ritual.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse condemns ego-driven cruelty and urges alignment with truth and dharma; in a Shaiva Siddhanta sense, hostility toward Shiva (Pati) strengthens pāśa (bondage), while humility and right intention loosen it.
Satī’s counsel implies that rejecting or dishonoring Shiva’s worship—whether as the Linga or as Saguna Shiva—comes from distorted intellect; reverence and right attitude are essential for worship to bear fruit.
A practical takeaway is to purify intention before worship: approach Shiva with bhakti, recite the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and cultivate non-harm and humility rather than anger or contempt.