Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44
वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्
Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas
विष्णौ मयि गते चैव देवाश्च मुनिभिस्सह । विनिर्जिता गणैस्सर्वे ये ते यज्ञोपजीविनः
viṣṇau mayi gate caiva devāśca munibhissaha | vinirjitā gaṇaissarve ye te yajñopajīvinaḥ
விஷ்ணுவும் நானும் மறைந்தபோது, முனிவர்களுடன் இருந்த தேவர்கள்—யாகத்தையே ஆதாரமாகக் கொண்டவர்கள்—அனைவரும் கணங்களால் முற்றிலும் தோற்கடிக்கப்பட்டனர்।
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Dakṣa’s ritualists (‘yajñopajīvinaḥ’) are overpowered when the higher lordship of Rudra asserts itself; the episode functions as a critique of ritualism devoid of Śiva-bhakti.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights that ritual power and status (living by yajña) are insufficient without alignment to Śiva (Pati); when higher divine support withdraws, those relying only on external rites are overcome, pointing to devotion and inner surrender as superior.
The gaṇas represent Śiva’s living, protective Saguna presence; the verse reinforces that approaching Śiva through tangible worship—such as the Liṅga with bhakti—grounds one in Śiva’s grace beyond mere sacrificial formalism.
A practical takeaway is to prioritize Śiva-bhakti over mere rite: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a devotional offering to the Liṅga, cultivating inner surrender rather than only external yajñas.