दक्षस्य यज्ञप्रवृत्तिः तथा ईश्वरवर्जितदेवसमागमः
Dakṣa’s Sacrificial Undertaking and the Devas’ Assembly without Īśvara
यज्ञलक्ष्मीमलक्ष्मीं त्वं भद्र कृत्वा ममाज्ञया । यजमानं च तं हत्वा वत्स हिंसय भद्रया
yajñalakṣmīmalakṣmīṃ tvaṃ bhadra kṛtvā mamājñayā | yajamānaṃ ca taṃ hatvā vatsa hiṃsaya bhadrayā
“O Bhadra, by my command, turn the prosperity of this sacrifice into misfortune. Then slay that sacrificer (the yajamāna), my child, and with Bhadrā (your fierce power) bring ruin upon him.”
Lord Shiva (issuing a command within the narrative as relayed by Suta Goswami)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Shakti Form: Caṇḍikā
Role: destructive
Offering: naivedya
It shows that mere ritual prosperity (yajña-lakṣmī) is not ultimate; when a rite is aligned with adharma or ego, Shiva’s will can reverse its ‘fortune’ into misfortune, emphasizing inner purity, devotion, and right intention over external performance.
As Saguna Shiva, the Lord actively governs dharma in the world—protecting truth and curbing corrupt ritual power. Linga-worship in the Purana is repeatedly presented as a direct, purifying approach to Shiva that transcends ritual pride and restores alignment with dharma.
The implied takeaway is to prioritize Shiva-bhakti and mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with humility; rituals should be accompanied by purity of conduct—supported by Shaiva disciplines like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and sincere worship rather than mere ceremonial display.