ॐ Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Shrimad Bhagavata Mahatmya
the story of daksha yagna
Daksha organized a grand yagna but insulted Lord Shiva. Enraged, Sati sacrificed herself in the fire. Furious, Shiva sent Veerabhadra, who destroyed the yagna and beheaded Daksha. The gods trembled in fear. Finally, Lord Vishnu intervened, and Shiva revived Daksha, but with a goat’s head.
Daksha Yagna
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Sati’s Sacrifice |
Maitreya told Vidura, “I wish to tell you the stories of Prahlada and Dhruva. Which one would you like to hear first?”
Vidura replied, “O Sage Maitreya, I find all these stories equally captivating, but I wish to hear the story of Sati first. There is no difference between Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva). Yet, because Daksha disrespected Lord Shiva, he faced severe consequences. Sati’s self-immolation is an extraordinary tale. Kindly narrate it to me first.”
Recognizing Vidura’s deep knowledge and understanding of the unity between Vishnu and Shiva, Maitreya began narrating the lineage of Devahuti’s daughters. He spoke about Anasuya, the daughter of Devahuti and the wife of Sage Atri. Through Atri’s severe penance, three divine sons were born—Dattatreya (a partial incarnation of Vishnu), Chandra (a partial incarnation of Brahma), and Durvasa (a partial incarnation of Rudra).
Then, Maitreya proceeded with the story of Daksha and Sati.
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Daksha’s Grand Yajna
Once, Daksha organized a grand yagna (sacrificial ritual). Many sages, divine beings, and celestial entities attended the ceremony. The offerings made in the yajna were consumed in subtle form by the deities of the Swarga Loka (heavenly realm) and Bhuvar Loka (mid-realm). The rulers of the earthly realm were also present.
Prominent celestial beings such as Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Maruts, Adityas, Rudras, Vasus, and the Lokapalas (guardians of the directions) had assembled. Even Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva were given places of honor in the yagna.
When Daksha entered the grand assembly, everyone stood up in respect. The gods, Maruts, and Vasus all greeted him with honor. However, Brahma remained seated, and so did Shiva.
Daksha felt insulted. His ego was hurt. He thought, Shiva has disrespected me. Enraged, he addressed the assembly:
“O Devas! You have all attended my grand yajna and honored me as its organizer. This is a joyous occasion. By maintaining etiquette, harmony is ensured in such gatherings. Today, my son-in-law, Shiva, is also present. I gave my beloved daughter Sati to him upon Brahma’s suggestion, who praised Shiva’s greatness before me.
Yet, even though I am his elder, Shiva did not rise to greet me. Isn’t it natural for a younger one to show respect to an elder? But he neither stood up nor even acknowledged my presence with words! Such ignorance of etiquette! I now feel deceived by Brahma’s words.”
Daksha’s frustration turned into resentment. Brahma, upon hearing Daksha’s accusations, felt embarrassed but remained silent.
Meanwhile, Shiva remained completely still, unaffected by Daksha’s harsh words. Seeing Shiva’s composed and indifferent demeanor, Daksha’s anger intensified. In a final declaration, he said,
“From this moment onward, Shiva will not receive any share of the offerings from yagnas!”
Despite this proclamation, Shiva remained unmoved. His silence astonished the entire assembly.
Nandi Curse and Sage Bhrigu’s Counter Curse
Among Shiva’s attendants was Nandi, who could no longer tolerate Daksha’s insults. He declared a curse:
“Because of Daksha’s arrogance, he will lose all spiritual wisdom. He will be reborn with the face of a goat! Those who supported him in this insult will be deprived of true knowledge and will wander as beggars.”
Hearing this, Sage Bhrigu, a supporter of Daksha, retaliated with his own curse:
“Those who follow Shiva will be impure. They will abandon the Vedic path, smear ashes on their bodies, wear bones and rags, and be considered heretics.”
Despite these exchanges, Shiva remained silent and left the assembly with his followers, vowing never to return to Daksha’s gatherings.
Satis Anguish
Meanwhile, Daksha’s yagna continued for a thousand years. When Sati learned about the grand event, she felt a longing to visit her parental home. She thought, All my sisters must have gathered there. My mother and father would be delighted to see me. Should I go?
She hesitantly approached Shiva, expressing her desire to attend. However, Shiva, recalling the past insult, advised against it.
“My dear, they did not even invite us,” Shiva explained. “I do not wish for you to be insulted there.”
But Sati insisted, “O Lord, how can I not visit my birthplace? Every woman naturally desires to meet her parents. Even those who have no relation to our family are attending. I should go too.”
Shiva gently cautioned her, “Beloved, you may consider them your family, but do they see us as their own? If someone disrespects a guest or a relative, are they truly family? A warrior may endure wounds on the battlefield, but harsh words from loved ones are unbearable. Your father considers me a beggar, a mere ascetic. He will not honor you as you expect.”
Despite Shiva’s warnings, Sati was determined. Against his wishes, she left for the yajna, accompanied by Nandi and Shiva’s attendants.
Upon reaching the yagna, Sati was greeted warmly by her mother and sisters. They adorned her with ornaments and fine clothing, but she refused all gifts, remembering the past insult to her husband.
Then, she noticed that Shiva had been deliberately excluded from the offerings. Daksha, seeing Sati, once again began criticizing Shiva. Unable to bear the insult to her husband, Sati spoke in anger:
“Father! Why do you slander my husband? He is the Supreme Being, beyond enmity and hatred. Only ignorant ones focus on faults, while the wise see only virtues. Shiva is the very soul of the universe. By insulting him, you are only destroying your own spiritual merit.
What is the use of this body if I must hear my husband’s insult? I renounce it right here and now.”
Filled with divine energy, Sati sat in deep meditation, invoked her inner fire, and self-immolated on the spot.
The entire assembly was shocked. The sky trembled, the earth shook, and cries of distress filled the air. The deities condemned Daksha’s arrogance, realizing that disaster was inevitable.
When Narada informed Shiva about Sati’s self-sacrifice, Shiva’s rage erupted. He plucked a lock of his hair, struck it on the ground, and from it emerged Virabhadra, a fierce warrior with three eyes and immense power.
Shiva commanded, “Go with my attendants. Destroy Daksha’s yajna. Leave nothing intact!”
Virabhadra and Shiva’s army stormed the yagna. They defeated the gods, shattered the sacrificial structures, and wreaked havoc.
Finally, they captured Daksha and severed his head, throwing it into the sacrificial fire. The entire yagna site was left in ruins.
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/7529524370750886/
The gods, terrified, sought refuge in Brahma. Realizing their mistake in excluding Shiva, they begged for forgiveness.
Brahma, acknowledging Shiva’s supreme status, advised them to seek his mercy. Only by appeasing Shiva could balance be restored.
This marked the beginning of reconciliation, but the scars of the incident remained, teaching a profound lesson on the consequences of ego, disrespect, and divine justice.
This is the tale of Daksha’s yagna a story of arrogance, devotion, sacrifice, and the ultimate truth that Shiva, the eternal ascetic, remains beyond worldly pride and insult.
Meanwhile, Daksha’s yagna continued for a thousand years. When Sati learned about the grand event, she felt a longing to visit her parental home. She thought, All my sisters must have gathered there. My mother and father would be delighted to see me. Should I go?
She hesitantly approached Shiva, expressing her desire to attend. However, Shiva, recalling the past insult, advised against it.
“My dear, they did not even invite us,” Shiva explained. “I do not wish for you to be insulted there.”
But Sati insisted, “O Lord, how can I not visit my birthplace? Every woman naturally desires to meet her parents. Even those who have no relation to our family are attending. I should go too.”
Shiva gently cautioned her, “Beloved, you may consider them your family, but do they see us as their own? If someone disrespects a guest or a relative, are they truly family? A warrior may endure wounds on the battlefield, but harsh words from loved ones are unbearable. Your father considers me a beggar, a mere ascetic. He will not honor you as you expect.”
Despite Shiva’s warnings, Sati was determined. Against his wishes, she left for the yajna, accompanied by Nandi and Shiva’s attendants.
Sati’s Sacrifice
Upon reaching the yagna, Sati was greeted warmly by her mother and sisters. They adorned her with ornaments and fine clothing, but she refused all gifts, remembering the past insult to her husband.
Then, she noticed that Shiva had been deliberately excluded from the offerings. Daksha, seeing Sati, once again began criticizing Shiva. Unable to bear the insult to her husband, Sati spoke in anger:
“Father! Why do you slander my husband? He is the Supreme Being, beyond enmity and hatred. Only ignorant ones focus on faults, while the wise see only virtues. Shiva is the very soul of the universe. By insulting him, you are only destroying your own spiritual merit.
What is the use of this body if I must hear my husband’s insult? I renounce it right here and now.”
Filled with divine energy, Sati sat in deep meditation, invoked her inner fire, and self-immolated on the spot.
The entire assembly was shocked. The sky trembled, the earth shook, and cries of distress filled the air. The deities condemned Daksha’s arrogance, realizing that disaster was inevitable.
Shiva’s Wrath and the Destruction of the Yajna
When Narada informed Shiva about Sati’s self-sacrifice, Shiva’s rage erupted. He plucked a lock of his hair, struck it on the ground, and from it emerged Virabhadra, a fierce warrior with three eyes and immense power.
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| Virabhadra |
Shiva commanded, “Go with my attendants. Destroy Daksha’s yajna. Leave nothing intact!”
Virabhadra and Shiva’s army stormed the yagna. They defeated the gods, shattered the sacrificial structures, and wreaked havoc.
Finally, they captured Daksha and severed his head, throwing it into the sacrificial fire. The entire yagna site was left in ruins.
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/7529524370750886/
Aftermath
The gods, terrified, sought refuge in Brahma. Realizing their mistake in excluding Shiva, they begged for forgiveness.
Brahma, acknowledging Shiva’s supreme status, advised them to seek his mercy. Only by appeasing Shiva could balance be restored.
This marked the beginning of reconciliation, but the scars of the incident remained, teaching a profound lesson on the consequences of ego, disrespect, and divine justice.
This is the tale of Daksha’s yagna a story of arrogance, devotion, sacrifice, and the ultimate truth that Shiva, the eternal ascetic, remains beyond worldly pride and insult.
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