Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 53
प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च
The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival
रुद्रं तदानीं परिशप्यमानं संस्मृत्य दक्षः परया रुषान्वितः । श्रद्धां विहायैव स मूढबुद्धिर्निंदापरोभूच्छिवपूजकानाम्
rudraṃ tadānīṃ pariśapyamānaṃ saṃsmṛtya dakṣaḥ parayā ruṣānvitaḥ | śraddhāṃ vihāyaiva sa mūḍhabuddhirniṃdāparobhūcchivapūjakānām
Se remémorant comment Rudra avait alors été outragé et maudit, Dakṣa fut saisi d’une colère extrême. Rejetant toute révérence, cet esprit égaré se voua entièrement à blâmer les adorateurs de Śiva.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It highlights that abandoning śraddhā and indulging in nindā—especially toward Śiva and Śiva-bhaktas—signals spiritual delusion and deepens bondage; reverence toward Pati (Śiva) and His devotees is presented as a prerequisite for auspiciousness and grace.
Śiva’s saguna worship (including Liṅga-pūjā) is upheld as a legitimate, grace-bearing path; Dakṣa’s turn to condemning Śiva-pūjā reflects the ego-driven refusal to honor Śiva’s manifest forms and the devotees who approach Him through ritual and bhakti.
The takeaway is to protect one’s śraddhā: practice respectful Śiva-bhakti—such as daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and reverent participation in Śiva-pūjā—while avoiding criticism of Śiva’s devotees.