Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 2
नभोवाणी-दक्ष-निन्दा तथा सती-माहात्म्य-प्रतिपादनम् / The Celestial Voice Rebukes Dakṣa and Proclaims Satī’s Greatness
व्योमवाण्युवाच । रे रे दक्ष दुराचार दंभाचारपरायण । किं कृतं ते महामूढ कर्म चानर्थकारकम्
vyomavāṇyuvāca | re re dakṣa durācāra daṃbhācāraparāyaṇa | kiṃ kṛtaṃ te mahāmūḍha karma cānarthakārakam
Tiếng nói từ hư không phán: “Này, này Dakṣa—kẻ hạnh kiểm xấu xa, chỉ chuộng phô trương giả dối! Hỡi kẻ đại ngu, ngươi đã làm gì vậy? Việc làm ấy của ngươi thật là mầm gây tai ương.”
Vyomavāṇī (a celestial voice)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: The celestial rebuke condemns dambha (hypocrisy) in yajña; it foreshadows the destruction of the arrogant sacrificial order and the reassertion of Śiva’s supremacy.
Significance: Ethical pilgrimage teaching: tīrtha and yajña bear fruit only with inner purity; dambha invites downfall.
Cosmic Event: Heavenly censure (ākāśa-śāsana) preceding the collapse of the rite—an omen of punitive correction.
FAQs
It condemns dambha (religious hypocrisy) and ego-driven action, warning that such conduct becomes anartha—spiritual and worldly ruin—because it turns dharma into self-display rather than surrender to Pati (Lord Shiva).
Linga/Saguna-Shiva worship in the Purana is rooted in bhakti, humility, and reverence for Shiva and His devotees; this verse warns that ritual without inner sincerity (dambha) becomes offensive and karmically destructive.
Practice worship with inner purity: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with humility, and perform pūjā/vrata without pride or contempt—avoiding showy religiosity that contradicts devotion.