Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
विष्णो त्वं कर्मणां साक्षी यज्ञानां प्रतिपालकः । धर्मस्य वेदगर्भस्य ब्रह्मणस्त्वं महाप्रभो
viṣṇo tvaṃ karmaṇāṃ sākṣī yajñānāṃ pratipālakaḥ | dharmasya vedagarbhasya brahmaṇastvaṃ mahāprabho
हे विष्णो! तुम्ही सर्व कर्मांचे साक्षी आणि यज्ञांचे प्रतिपालक आहात. वेदगर्भ धर्माचे धारक तुम्हीच; हे महाप्रभो, ब्रह्म्याचेही तुम्हीच आधार आहात.
Sati (addressing Lord Vishnu)
Tattva Level: pati
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse highlights divine oversight of karma and yajña: the Lord is the inner witness (sākṣī) who ensures that Veda-rooted Dharma is upheld, reminding devotees that outer ritual must align with inner righteousness.
Within a Shaiva reading, it complements Linga worship by stressing that all sacred acts (karma, yajña, dharma) are ultimately validated by the Supreme Lord; Linga devotion emphasizes offering every action as worship, beyond mere ritual performance.
Perform daily duties as karma-yajña with the awareness of the inner Witness—supporting practice such as japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and offering actions mentally at the Linga as an inner sacrifice.