Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
दाक्षयज्ञप्रस्थान-प्रश्नः
Satī Inquires about the Departure for Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
अनाहूताश्च ये देवी गच्छंति परमंदिरम् । अवमानं प्राप्नुवंति मरणादधिकं तथा
anāhūtāśca ye devī gacchaṃti paramaṃdiram | avamānaṃ prāpnuvaṃti maraṇādadhikaṃ tathā
اے دیوی، جو لوگ بغیر بلائے دوسرے کے اعلیٰ گھر میں جاتے ہیں وہ ذلت پاتے ہیں؛ ایسی ذلت جو موت سے بھی بڑھ کر سمجھی جاتی ہے۔
Lord Shiva (advising Sati in the Daksha-yajña context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: The verse functions as dharma-nīti within the Dakṣa episode: uninvited entry into another’s ‘parama-mandira’ (here, Dakṣa’s sacrificial venue/house) results in avamāna; it anticipates Satī’s affront and the catastrophic unraveling of the yajña.
Significance: Ethical instruction for pilgrims: do not pursue sacred spaces through ego/impulse; approach with proper invitation/adhikāra and humility, otherwise the ‘pilgrimage’ becomes a cause of suffering.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches dharmic discernment: self-respect and spiritual dignity should not be sacrificed for worldly attachment; seeking honour through improper approach leads to inner fall, which Shaiva tradition regards as a fate worse than bodily death.
It reflects Saguna Shiva’s compassionate guidance as the Guru: true worship of Shiva is aligned with dharma and humility, not with ego-driven social validation; devotion must be accompanied by right conduct.
Practice restraint and inwardness: before any pilgrimage or temple visit, cultivate humility and invoke Shiva with the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering mental worship rather than acting from impulse or pride.