Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 41
देव-गण-समरः
Devas and Śiva’s Gaṇas Engage in Battle
ऋषय ऊचुः । देवदेव रमानाथ सर्वेश्वर महाप्रभो । रक्ष यज्ञं हि दक्षस्य यज्ञोसि त्वं न संशयः
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | devadeva ramānātha sarveśvara mahāprabho | rakṣa yajñaṃ hi dakṣasya yajñosi tvaṃ na saṃśayaḥ
Para resi berkata: “Wahai Dewa para dewa, wahai Nātha Ramā, wahai Penguasa semesta, Mahāprabhu—lindungilah yajña Dakṣa; tanpa ragu Engkau sendiri adalah wujud Yajña.”
The sages (ṛṣis), addressing Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Mantra: devadeva ramānātha sarveśvara mahāprabho | rakṣa yajñaṃ hi dakṣasya yajñosi tvaṃ na saṃśayaḥ
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Lalitā
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It declares Shiva as the inner reality of yajña—He is the sanctifier, the power behind ritual, and the ultimate recipient—so sacrifice becomes spiritually fruitful only when aligned with devotion and humility toward Pati (the Supreme Lord).
Calling Shiva “Yajña” supports Saguna worship: the devotee approaches the Supreme through a concrete sacred focus (like the Shiva-linga), recognizing that all offerings and rites are fulfilled when offered to Shiva as the indwelling Lord.
Offer all actions as Shiva-arpaṇa (dedication to Shiva) while repeating the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—so outer ritual is joined to inner surrender, making the ‘yajña’ protected and purified.