Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 38
प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च
The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival
कूटधर्मेषु गेहेषु सदा ग्राम्यसुखेच्छया । कर्मतंत्रं वितनुता वेदवादं च शाश्वतम्
kūṭadharmeṣu geheṣu sadā grāmyasukhecchayā | karmataṃtraṃ vitanutā vedavādaṃ ca śāśvatam
कुटिल और पाखण्डी धर्मों से युक्त घरों में, सदा ग्राम्य-सुख की इच्छा से प्रेरित होकर, वे कर्मकाण्ड की एक यंत्रणा फैलाते हैं और वेद-वचन को ही शाश्वत लक्ष्य की भाँति प्रचारित करते रहते हैं।
Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It warns that when dharma becomes hypocritical and pleasure-driven, people cling to karma and verbal “Vedic” argument as an end, while missing Shiva-centered purity and liberation-oriented devotion.
Linga/Saguna Shiva worship is presented as a heart-transforming path; this verse critiques empty religiosity and implies that true worship must transcend mere social pleasure and performative ritualism.
The takeaway is to shift from showy karma to sincere Shiva-upāsanā—regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with inner discipline, rather than ritual done for worldly comfort.