Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 23
दक्षस्य यज्ञप्रवृत्तिः तथा ईश्वरवर्जितदेवसमागमः
Dakṣa’s Sacrificial Undertaking and the Devas’ Assembly without Īśvara
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु ज्ञात्वैतत्सर्वमीश्वरात् । दग्धुं दक्षाध्वरं विप्रा देवी देवमचोदयत्
etasminneva kāle tu jñātvaitatsarvamīśvarāt | dagdhuṃ dakṣādhvaraṃ viprā devī devamacodayat
En ce même instant, ayant tout compris de la part du Seigneur, la Déesse—ô sages—pressa le Deva (Śiva) de consumer par le feu le sacrifice de Dakṣa.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Context is the Dakṣa-yajña episode: Satī, having grasped the Lord’s intent and the adharma of Dakṣa’s rite, impels Śiva toward the destruction of the yajña—an archetypal purāṇic critique of egoic ritualism devoid of devotion.
Significance: Frames the principle that ritual (yajña) without Śiva-bhakti and right recognition (jñāna) becomes pāśa (bondage); grace operates even through corrective dissolution.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights that when ritual becomes tainted by ego and exclusion of Īśvara, Divine wisdom directs its dissolution—showing that true dharma is God-centered humility, not mere sacrificial display.
The verse emphasizes Śiva as Īśvara who governs outcomes beyond external rites; Saguna worship of Śiva (including the Liṅga) is portrayed as the rightful center of sacrifice and devotion, without which ritual loses sanctity.
A practical takeaway is to purify intention before worship—perform japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and offer devotion with humility, treating ritual as Śiva-arpana (offering to Śiva) rather than as personal prestige.