Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 37
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
शक्तिर्मम तु नास्त्येव दक्षाद्यैतन्निवारणे । शपथोल्लंघनादेव शिवद्रोही यतोस्म्यहम्
śaktirmama tu nāstyeva dakṣādyaitannivāraṇe | śapathollaṃghanādeva śivadrohī yatosmyaham
Em verdade, não tenho poder para impedir este ato de Dakṣa e dos demais; pois, ao violar meu voto, tornei-me um ofensor contra Śiva.
Satī (Pārvatī as Dakṣa’s daughter)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
Satī admits that violating a vow weakens one’s inner authority and becomes a form of Śiva-aparādha (offense to Shiva). In Shaiva understanding, dharma and devotion must align; when they fracture, the soul loses clarity and power to act rightly.
The verse highlights loyalty to Saguna Śiva—Shiva approached as the personal Lord worthy of steadfast devotion. Disrespect toward Shiva (or His devotees and symbols such as the Liṅga) is treated as a serious fault that obstructs grace.
A practical takeaway is to renew one’s vow through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with repentance and steadiness, and to avoid Śiva-aparādha by honoring Shiva’s worship (Liṅga, bhasma/Tripuṇḍra, and Rudrākṣa) with sincerity.