Shloka 42
दक्षस्य यज्ञप्रवृत्तिः तथा ईश्वरवर्जितदेवसमागमः
Dakṣa’s Sacrificial Undertaking and the Devas’ Assembly without Īśvara
तस्मिन्प्रदेशे दक्षस्य युज्ञः संप्रति वर्तते । सहसा तस्य यज्ञस्य विघातं कुरु मा चिरम्
tasminpradeśe dakṣasya yujñaḥ saṃprati vartate | sahasā tasya yajñasya vighātaṃ kuru mā ciram
In that very region, Dakṣa’s sacrifice is presently underway. Go at once—without delay—and bring about the obstruction of that sacrifice.
Lord Shiva (issuing a command to his attendant hosts/gaṇas, in the Dakṣa-yajña narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: The command targets Dakṣa’s ongoing yajña in the Haridwar/Kankhal region; the episode becomes a paradigmatic ‘anti-yajña’ teaching: rite without recognition of Śiva collapses.
Significance: Pilgrims recall the lesson of humility in worship; visiting Kankhal/Dakṣa Mahādeva area is associated with expiation of pride and restoration of right devotion.
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: destructive
FAQs
It underscores a Shaiva Siddhanta principle: ritual power (yajña) becomes spiritually barren when driven by ego and disrespect toward Pati (Shiva). The “obstruction” symbolizes the collapse of pride-based religiosity and the restoration of dharma rooted in devotion and right understanding.
Dakṣa’s yajña represents external ritual divorced from reverence to Shiva, who is worshiped as Saguna (accessible Lord) through the Linga. The verse reinforces that honoring Shiva-devotion is essential; otherwise, even elaborate rites lose their sanctifying force.
The takeaway is to prioritize Shiva-bhakti with disciplined practice—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and living humility—so that rituals are aligned with devotion rather than ego.