Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44
वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्
Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas
विष्णौ मयि गते चैव देवाश्च मुनिभिस्सह । विनिर्जिता गणैस्सर्वे ये ते यज्ञोपजीविनः
viṣṇau mayi gate caiva devāśca munibhissaha | vinirjitā gaṇaissarve ye te yajñopajīvinaḥ
Lorsque Viṣṇu et moi nous fûmes retirés, les dieux, avec les sages, furent entièrement vaincus par les gaṇas, ceux qui vivent des rites sacrificiels (yajña).
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Dakṣa’s ritualists (‘yajñopajīvinaḥ’) are overpowered when the higher lordship of Rudra asserts itself; the episode functions as a critique of ritualism devoid of Śiva-bhakti.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights that ritual power and status (living by yajña) are insufficient without alignment to Śiva (Pati); when higher divine support withdraws, those relying only on external rites are overcome, pointing to devotion and inner surrender as superior.
The gaṇas represent Śiva’s living, protective Saguna presence; the verse reinforces that approaching Śiva through tangible worship—such as the Liṅga with bhakti—grounds one in Śiva’s grace beyond mere sacrificial formalism.
A practical takeaway is to prioritize Śiva-bhakti over mere rite: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a devotional offering to the Liṅga, cultivating inner surrender rather than only external yajñas.