Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 51
दक्षयज्ञे मुनिदेवसमागमः / The Gathering of Sages and Gods at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
दक्ष उवाच । गतः शिवप्रियो विप्रो दधीचो नाम नामतः । अन्ये तथाविधा ये च गतास्ते मम चाध्वरात्
dakṣa uvāca | gataḥ śivapriyo vipro dadhīco nāma nāmataḥ | anye tathāvidhā ye ca gatāste mama cādhvarāt
Dakṣa dit : «Le brahmane Dadhīci—célèbre de nom—cher au Seigneur Śiva, s’en est allé. Et d’autres du même genre ont également quitté mon sacrifice.»
Daksha
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse highlights that those devoted to Pati (Śiva) do not remain where dharma is mixed with ego and disrespect. From a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, devotion and humility are higher than ritual performance undertaken with pride; when reverence for Śiva is absent, even a grand yajña loses its sanctifying power.
Dadhīci is described as śiva-priya—dear to Śiva—implying allegiance to Saguna Śiva worship (including Linga-upāsanā) over social prestige. The narrative frame of Daksha’s sacrifice contrasts external ritual with inner Śiva-bhakti, a key theme in the Purana’s defense of Śiva-centered worship.
The takeaway is to anchor practice in Śiva-bhakti: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a reverent mindset, and to avoid performing rites with arrogance. If doing pūjā, approach with humility—Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), Rudrākṣa, and mantra-japa are supportive when paired with devotion.