Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 29
Dakṣa Offends Lord Śiva: Cursing and Countercursing in the Sacrificial Assembly
नष्टशौचा मूढधियो जटाभस्मास्थिधारिण: । विशन्तु शिवदीक्षायां यत्र दैवं सुरासवम् ॥ २९ ॥
naṣṭa-śaucā mūḍha-dhiyo jaṭā-bhasmāsthi-dhāriṇaḥ viśantu śiva-dīkṣāyāṁ yatra daivaṁ surāsavam
Die ihre Reinheit verloren haben, törichten Sinnes, und mit verfilzten Haaren, Asche und Knochen umhergehen—sie mögen in Śivas Einweihung eintreten, wo das „Göttliche“ mit Wein und Ähnlichem verknüpft wird.
Indulging in wine and meat, keeping long hair on one’s head, not bathing daily, and smoking gāñjā (marijuana) are some of the habits which are accepted by foolish creatures who do not have regulated lives. By such behavior one becomes devoid of transcendental knowledge. In the initiation into the Śiva mantra there are mudrikāṣṭaka, in which it is sometimes recommended that one make his sitting place on the vagina and thus desire nirvāṇa, or dissolution of existence. In that process of worship, wine is needed, or sometimes, in place of wine, palm tree juice which is converted into an intoxicant. This is also offered according to Śiva-āgama, a scripture on the method of worshiping Lord Śiva.
FAQs
This verse shows Dakṣa’s harsh, contemptuous criticism of Śiva; in the Bhagavatam narrative, such blasphemy is presented as offensive and born of pride, leading to grave consequences.
In Canto 4, Chapter 2, Dakṣa is angered and envious, and he condemns Śiva’s unconventional external symbols (matted hair, ash) to insult him publicly during the sacrificial assembly.
Avoid judging spiritual paths by externals or engaging in contemptuous speech; pride-driven criticism fractures communities and becomes a spiritual obstacle (aparādha).