Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 43
Dakṣa’s Daughters, Cosmic Lineages, and the Population of the Three Worlds
पूषानपत्य: पिष्टादो भग्नदन्तोऽभवत्पुरा । योऽसौ दक्षाय कुपितं जहास विवृतद्विज: ॥ ४३ ॥
pūṣānapatyaḥ piṣṭādo bhagna-danto ’bhavat purā yo ’sau dakṣāya kupitaṁ jahāsa vivṛta-dvijaḥ
Pūṣā had no sons. When Lord Śiva was angry at Dakṣa, Pūṣā had laughed at Lord Śiva and shown his teeth. Therefore he lost his teeth and had to live by eating only ground flour.
FAQs
This verse recalls that Pūṣan had previously suffered broken teeth, and therefore his portion became food that could be eaten only in a ground or mashed form.
vivṛta-dvijaḥ literally means “with the twice-born opened,” referring to bared teeth—he laughed openly, showing his teeth, at the enraged Dakṣa.
Ridicule and pride can bring painful consequences; the Bhagavatam warns that disrespectful behavior—especially in sacred contexts—returns as suffering and restriction.