Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12
दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादनिर्णयः / Dundubhinirhrāda’s Stratagem: Targeting the Brāhmaṇas
यज्ञेषु नाशं गच्छत्सु हताहारास्ततस्सुराः । निर्बलास्सुखजय्याः स्युर्निर्जितेषु सुरेष्वथ
yajñeṣu nāśaṃ gacchatsu hatāhārāstatassurāḥ | nirbalāssukhajayyāḥ syurnirjiteṣu sureṣvatha
Lorsque les rites sacrificiels furent menés à la ruine, les dieux se trouvèrent privés de leur nourriture. Devenus faibles et aisément vaincus, les deva furent alors défaits au combat.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It shows that worldly and heavenly power (even of the devas) depends on sustaining dharma and right worship; when sacred order collapses, strength collapses too—pointing to Shiva (Pati) as the ultimate ground of stability beyond mere ritual mechanics.
Yajña represents outer religious power; the verse implies that without alignment to Shiva’s will and proper devotion (often expressed in Linga-worship and Shaiva rites), ritual alone cannot protect or empower—even the gods become vulnerable.
A key takeaway is to strengthen worship with Shaiva sādhanā—steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined observance—so that dharma is supported by inner devotion, not only external rite.