Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35
प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च
The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival
वेदमार्गं पुरस्कृत्य ब्राह्मणाश्शूद्रयाजिनः । दरिद्रा वै भविष्यंति प्रतिग्रहरता स्सदा
vedamārgaṃ puraskṛtya brāhmaṇāśśūdrayājinaḥ | daridrā vai bhaviṣyaṃti pratigraharatā ssadā
जे ब्राह्मण वेदमर्ग पुढे करून शूद्रांसाठी यज्ञ करतात, ते निश्चयच दरिद्री होतात; कारण ते सदैव प्रतिग्रहात (दान-ग्रहणात) आसक्त राहतात।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya within the Rudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It warns that dharma collapses when sacred rites are driven by greed; in Shaiva understanding, ritual must be purified by devotion and right intention, otherwise it yields binding karma and worldly suffering such as poverty and loss of merit.
Linga-worship emphasizes inner purity, humility, and devotion to Saguna Shiva; this verse contrasts that ideal with ritualism done for payment, implying that true Shaiva worship is not a marketplace transaction but a disciplined offering (ārādhana) aligned with dharma.
The takeaway is to perform worship and japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with restraint and non-greed, keeping offerings and priestly duties free from excessive fee-seeking; maintain purity through simple pūjā, bhasma/tripuṇḍra where appropriate, and sincere vrata discipline.