Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 12
दक्षस्य यज्ञप्रवृत्तिः तथा ईश्वरवर्जितदेवसमागमः
Dakṣa’s Sacrificial Undertaking and the Devas’ Assembly without Īśvara
एवमुक्त्वा तु विप्रर्षिः पुनर्दक्षमभाषत । पूज्यं तु पशुभर्तारं कस्मान्नार्चयसे प्रभुम्
evamuktvā tu viprarṣiḥ punardakṣamabhāṣata | pūjyaṃ tu paśubhartāraṃ kasmānnārcayase prabhum
Having spoken thus, the brahmin-sage again addressed Dakṣa: “Why do you not worship the Lord—the Master and Protector of all beings (Paśupati)—who is truly worthy of adoration?”
A brahmin-sage (viprarṣi) admonishing Daksha within the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā narrative
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga; the verse explicitly names Śiva as Paśubhartṛ/Paśupati, aligning with the Siddhānta Pati–Paśu–Pāśa triad: the Lord alone is the rightful pūjya who can protect and ultimately liberate bound beings.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It confronts spiritual pride and ritual exclusivism, affirming that Shiva as Pati/Paśupati—the Lord of all beings—is the foremost object of worship, and that neglecting Him is a fundamental error that blocks grace and liberation.
By calling Shiva “Prabhu” and “Paśubhartṛ,” the verse points to the accessible Saguna Lord who is worshipped through forms like the Śiva-liṅga, while implying the deeper truth that He is the supreme Pati beyond all limited identities.
The takeaway is to prioritize sincere Śiva-arcana—daily reverence to Shiva (often via liṅga-pūjā), supported by mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” performed with humility rather than ego.
Read Shiva Purana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.