Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
नभोवाणी-दक्ष-निन्दा तथा सती-माहात्म्य-प्रतिपादनम् / The Celestial Voice Rebukes Dakṣa and Proclaims Satī’s Greatness
ईदृग्विधा सती देवी यस्य पत्नी सदा प्रिया । तस्यै भागो न दत्तस्ते मूढेन कुविचारिणा
īdṛgvidhā satī devī yasya patnī sadā priyā | tasyai bhāgo na dattaste mūḍhena kuvicāriṇā
“Sati Devi—yang begitu berbudi luhur dan mulia—adalah istri tercinta Siwa. Namun baginya tidak ada bagian pengorbanan yang diberikan olehmu, wahai Daksa, dalam kebodohan dan penilaianmu yang sesat.”
Satī (addressing Dakṣa, as narrated by Sūta Gosvāmin)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Dakṣa’s yajña becomes the archetypal warning that ritual (karma-kāṇḍa) without honoring Śiva and Śakti turns barren and self-destructive; Satī’s exclusion precipitates the collapse of the sacrifice and the later sanctification of sites connected with the event.
Significance: Teaches that true merit arises from right devotion and recognition of Pati (Śiva) and His Śakti; neglect of them is a spiritual ‘withholding of the share’ that blocks auspiciousness.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
The verse condemns prideful, distorted intellect that refuses to honor Śiva and His Śakti; in Shaiva understanding, denying Śiva’s place in worship severs dharma and invites spiritual downfall.
A yajña without acknowledging Śiva (Saguna worship through name, form, and offerings—often centered on the Liṅga) becomes hollow; the Purāṇa stresses that all ritual fruit depends on reverence to Śiva as Pati, the Lord of all.
The takeaway is to include Śiva-bhakti in all rites—mentally offer the yajña’s fruit to Śiva and repeat the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with humility, avoiding contempt toward devotees or Śiva’s worship.