Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40
प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च
The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival
शप्तास्ते कोपिना तत्र नंदिना ब्राह्मणा यदा । हाहाकारो महानासीच्छप्तो दक्षेण चेश्वरः
śaptāste kopinā tatra naṃdinā brāhmaṇā yadā | hāhākāro mahānāsīcchapto dakṣeṇa ceśvaraḥ
Dans cette assemblée, lorsque ces brāhmanes furent maudits par Nandin en courroux, un grand tumulte s’éleva ; et Dakṣa, à son tour, prononça lui aussi une malédiction contre le Seigneur (Īśvara, Śiva).
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Dakṣa’s sacrifice becomes the stage for aparādha (offense) against Śiva; Nandin’s curse and Dakṣa’s counter-curse precipitate the later destruction of the yajña and the re-establishment of Śaiva supremacy over mere ritualism.
Significance: Didactic: warns that yajña without Śiva-bhakti and right understanding becomes bondage; urges humility before Pati (Śiva).
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It shows how ritualism and pride (dakṣa-bhāva) can turn sacred yajña into conflict, while devotion to Īśvara is the true purifier; the uproar symbolizes the disturbance created when ego enters dharma.
Dakṣa’s cursing of Īśvara reflects rejection of Saguna Shiva—the personal Lord who accepts bhakti—whereas Shaiva teaching upholds that worship of Shiva (including the Liṅga) is superior to prideful sacrifice performed without surrender.
A practical takeaway is to perform worship with humility—apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and repeat the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to steady the mind and avoid the arrogance that corrupts religious acts.