दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
गन्तुमेवाहमुद्युक्तं सर्वथा शपथोत्तरम् । तथापि न गतश्शीघ्रं दुष्टसंसर्गपापतः
gantumevāhamudyuktaṃ sarvathā śapathottaram | tathāpi na gataśśīghraṃ duṣṭasaṃsargapāpataḥ
“Sesungguhnya aku telah bertekad untuk berangkat, setelah mengucapkan sumpah tanpa berbelah bahagi. Namun aku tidak segera pergi, kerana dosa yang timbul daripada bergaul dengan orang jahat.”
Satī (as narrated in the Rudrasaṃhitā dialogue, traditionally relayed by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
It teaches that even a firm vow can be weakened by duṣṭa-saṃsarga (harmful company), because such association generates pāpa (binding karma) that obstructs right action and inner clarity—an ethical foundation aligned with Shaiva dharma.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is sustained by purity of conduct and satsanga; avoiding corrupting influences protects bhakti and steadiness of mind, making one fit for Saguna Shiva’s grace and the discipline of Shiva-upāsanā.
Choose satsanga and steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to counteract negative saṅga; maintain śauca (purity) and a Shaiva daily discipline (e.g., bhasma-dhāraṇa and mindful conduct) so vows are fulfilled without delay.