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.