Devi Sati’s self-immolation and Daksha Yagna destroyed

Tey Dhanyasthye Mahatmano ye Bhajanti Sada Sivam,

Bina Sadaa Sivam yo hi Samsaaram tharthu micchhati,

Samoodho Maha Papaha Siva dveshi Na samsayaha,

bhakshitamhi garam ena Daksha Yagno vinaashithah,

kaalasya dahanam eva krutam Raajyam pramochanam.

( Those who perform ‘Bhajan’ to Sada Siva are worthy of commendation; who could possibly describe such Magnificent Bhagavan who devoured poisonous flames to save the Universe, destroyed Daksha Yagna, burnt off ‘Kaala’ and saved King Sweta from impossible hardships)!

Daksha Prajapati’s daughter Devi Sati, married to Maha Deva, felt insulted that neither she nor her husband was invited to a Maha Yagna conducted by her father. She attended the Yagna uninvited, despite Siva’s disagreement. Reluctantly Siva let her go but she was accompanied by Siva Ganas as a security. Not only Daksha ignored Sati’s presence, but he made unwarranted and offensive comments against Siva. He said that her husband was inauspicious as he was always surrounded by ghosts, spirits, and mean powers and that was why he did not invite him to the Yagna and denied him of the share of the proceeds of the Sacrifice. Sati Devi felt infuriated at her father’s unholy remarks and jumped into the Sacrificial Fire and was charred to death, even before anyone in the audience realized, especially the Sivaganas. As Narada conveyed the sad news, Lord Siva became furious and created Veerabhadhra with the instruction of devastating Daksha Yagna, uprooting the beard of Bhrigu who was the chief preceptor of the Yagna and killing Daksha Prajapati. As there were all-round violence, bloodshed, and obliteration, Lord Brahma prayed to the fuming Lord Siva by ‘Sashtanga Vandana’ or prostration. Brahma’s prayer stated:

‘Namo Rudraya Shantaaya Brahmaney Paramaatmaney,

Twam hi Viswasrujaam strashtadhata twam Prapitaamahah/

Namo Rudraaya Mahathey Neela Kanthaya Vedhasey,

Vishvaya Vishva beejaaya jagadaananda hethavey/

Omkaarastvam Vashatkaraya Sarvarambha pravarthakah,

Yagnosi Yagna karmosih Yagnanaamcha pravarthakah/

Sarvesham Yagna karthranaam thvameva pratipaalakah,

Yagnoshi Yagnakarmosi Yagnaanaam pravarthakah/

Sarvesham Yagnakartraanaam thvameva Pratipaalakah

Saranayosi Maha Deva Sarvesham Praanino Prabho

Raksha Raksha Maha Deva Putrashokena peeditham’.

( My Greetings to You Lord Rudra, You are the embodiment of Peace, Parabrahma, Paramatma; You are the Creator of Prajapathies who create and thus You are the father of fathers; You are the Preserver of the Universe; You are the Supreme, the Blue Throated, Vedhasey, the Basic Seed, the Cause of Happiness; the Yagna, the Yagna Karma, the Super Organiser of Yagnas, the Omkar, the Vashatkar, I take refuge in You, kindly save us, be merciful and care for us the progeny of Yours).

In reply, Lord Siva affirmed that whatever had happened was squarely the evil doing of Daksha himself (Sweeyena karmana Daksho hatho Brahmannasamsayaha). Brahma made a sincere request to forgive Daksha and the ever-merciful Siva planted the goat-head by killing the Sacrificial Goat. The revived Daksha was ashamed and prayed to Siva for forgiveness and Siva replied as follows:

Aartho jignaasuraarthaarthi Jnaanischadwija Sattamaa / 

Thasmanmey Jnaaninah Sarve Priyah Syunarthra samaayasah,

Bina Jnanena mam praapthu yathanthey they hi Balishah /

kevalam karmanaa twam hi samsaararthumichhasi,

Na vedaischa na daanaischan yagnaistapasakwachit/

na shaknuvanthimaam praaptum moodhaah karshavasaanarah,

Tasmatjnaana parobhutva kuru karma samaahithah/

Sukha Duhkha Samaa bhutva Sukhibhava nirantaram/

(Human beings pray to me for four end-uses, viz. to escape from the sorrow of worldly entanglements, to enquire about the purpose of existence, to fulfill desires, and to genuinely seek me. Among these the best approach is indeed of a Gyani; others are all ‘Agnyanis’ or ignoramus only. Yagnas and such other Karmas without knowledge are imperfect ways of realizing Paramatma; ignorant persons try to reach the Supreme Power Siva by reciting Vedas, perform charities or execute Yagnas and Tapasyas; these too are not the ideal means. The best way is to utilise ‘Gyan’ and perform ‘karma with undiluted concentration and treat both worldly happiness and sorrows with equanimity).

In other words, rituals are not necessarily the ultimate for seeking Salvation, but dedication and enlightenment are. This was indeed a lesson to Daksha who paid too much stress on rituals with disregard to devotion and mental regulation that landed him in his devastation but for Lord Siva’s clemency and forgiveness.