Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12
दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादनिर्णयः / Dundubhinirhrāda’s Stratagem: Targeting the Brāhmaṇas
यज्ञेषु नाशं गच्छत्सु हताहारास्ततस्सुराः । निर्बलास्सुखजय्याः स्युर्निर्जितेषु सुरेष्वथ
yajñeṣu nāśaṃ gacchatsu hatāhārāstatassurāḥ | nirbalāssukhajayyāḥ syurnirjiteṣu sureṣvatha
यज्ञांचा नाश होताच देवांचा आहार (यज्ञभाग) नष्ट झाला. ते निर्बल व सहज जिंकण्यासारखे झाले; आणि मग देव पराजित झाले.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It shows that worldly and heavenly power (even of the devas) depends on sustaining dharma and right worship; when sacred order collapses, strength collapses too—pointing to Shiva (Pati) as the ultimate ground of stability beyond mere ritual mechanics.
Yajña represents outer religious power; the verse implies that without alignment to Shiva’s will and proper devotion (often expressed in Linga-worship and Shaiva rites), ritual alone cannot protect or empower—even the gods become vulnerable.
A key takeaway is to strengthen worship with Shaiva sādhanā—steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined observance—so that dharma is supported by inner devotion, not only external rite.