Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 26
Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance
दक्ष उवाच शुद्धं स्वधाम्न्युपरताखिलबुद्ध्यवस्थं चिन्मात्रमेकमभयं प्रतिषिध्य मायाम् । तिष्ठंस्तयैव पुरुषत्वमुपेत्य तस्या- मास्ते भवानपरिशुद्ध इवात्मतन्त्र: ॥ २६ ॥
dakṣa uvāca śuddhaṁ sva-dhāmny uparatākhila-buddhy-avasthaṁ cin-mātram ekam abhayaṁ pratiṣidhya māyām tiṣṭhaṁs tayaiva puruṣatvam upetya tasyām āste bhavān apariśuddha ivātma-tantraḥ
Dijo Dakṣa: “Señor mío, Tú eres puro en Tu propia morada, más allá de toda postura especulativa; eres conciencia pura, uno sin segundo y sin temor. Dominas a māyā, y aunque pareces permanecer en ella y asumir la condición de Puruṣa, sigues siendo plenamente independiente y jamás te contaminas.”
FAQs
This verse describes the transcendental state as pure consciousness, fearless and nondual, where māyā is dispelled—yet the Lord may still appear connected to māyā due to divine potency, without actually being contaminated.
In the aftermath of the Daksha-yajña conflict, Daksha criticizes Śiva, arguing that although Śiva is transcendental, his association with the external energy makes him appear impure—reflecting Daksha’s pride and misunderstanding.
The verse encourages discernment: appearances can mislead, and true purity is inner consciousness and self-mastery—so one should judge less by external labels and cultivate steady spiritual awareness.