Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35
प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च
The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival
वेदमार्गं पुरस्कृत्य ब्राह्मणाश्शूद्रयाजिनः । दरिद्रा वै भविष्यंति प्रतिग्रहरता स्सदा
vedamārgaṃ puraskṛtya brāhmaṇāśśūdrayājinaḥ | daridrā vai bhaviṣyaṃti pratigraharatā ssadā
Les brāhmaṇa qui mettent en avant la voie védique et pourtant accomplissent des sacrifices pour les śūdra deviendront assurément pauvres, car ils demeurent sans cesse attachés à l’acceptation de dons (en échange de ces rites).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya within the Rudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It warns that dharma collapses when sacred rites are driven by greed; in Shaiva understanding, ritual must be purified by devotion and right intention, otherwise it yields binding karma and worldly suffering such as poverty and loss of merit.
Linga-worship emphasizes inner purity, humility, and devotion to Saguna Shiva; this verse contrasts that ideal with ritualism done for payment, implying that true Shaiva worship is not a marketplace transaction but a disciplined offering (ārādhana) aligned with dharma.
The takeaway is to perform worship and japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with restraint and non-greed, keeping offerings and priestly duties free from excessive fee-seeking; maintain purity through simple pūjā, bhasma/tripuṇḍra where appropriate, and sincere vrata discipline.