Shloka 8
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
ईश्वरावज्ञया सर्वं कार्यं भवति सर्वथा । विफलं केवलं नैव विपत्तिश्च पदेपदे
īśvarāvajñayā sarvaṃ kāryaṃ bhavati sarvathā | viphalaṃ kevalaṃ naiva vipattiśca padepade
By disregarding Īśvara, every undertaking becomes futile in every way; it yields no true fruit, and misfortune arises at every step.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It teaches that īśvara-avajñā—disregard of Shiva, the supreme Pati—breaks the auspicious alignment of karma, making efforts barren and inviting repeated obstacles; reverence and surrender restore grace (anugraha) and right fruition.
Linga-worship embodies honoring Shiva as the present Lord of all actions; this verse implies that when one neglects Saguna Shiva’s authority and grace, even worldly and religious works lose their potency, whereas Linga-bhakti sanctifies and stabilizes one’s undertakings.
A practical takeaway is to begin actions with Shiva-smaraṇa and japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), along with simple devotion such as offering water to the Linga; this cultivates humility and prevents the fault of avajñā.