Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 4
Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance
पूषा तु यजमानस्य दद्भिर्जक्षतु पिष्टभुक् । देवा: प्रकृतसर्वाङ्गा ये म उच्छेषणं ददु: ॥ ४ ॥
pūṣā tu yajamānasya dadbhir jakṣatu piṣṭa-bhuk devāḥ prakṛta-sarvāṅgā ye ma uccheṣaṇaṁ daduḥ
Śiva sprach: Pūṣā wird nur mit den Zähnen der Schüler des Opferherrn kauen können; ist er allein, muss er sich mit einem Teig aus Kichererbsenmehl begnügen. Doch die Halbgötter, die zugestimmt haben, mir meinen Opferanteil zu geben, werden von allen Verletzungen genesen und wieder unversehrt sein.
The demigod Pūṣā became dependent on his disciples for chewing; otherwise he was allowed to swallow only dough made of chickpea flour. Thus his punishment continued. He could not use his teeth for eating, since he had laughed at Lord Śiva, deriding him by showing his teeth. In other words, it was not appropriate for him to have teeth, for he had used them against Lord Śiva.
FAQs
This verse shows Śiva shifting from punishment to reconciliation—he assigns Pūṣā a fitting consequence and blesses the devas with restoration, indicating mercy after correction.
In the aftermath of Dakṣa’s offense and the disruption of the sacrifice, Śiva addresses those involved: Pūṣā receives a specific recompense, while the devas who offered him remnants are granted normalcy again.
Correct wrongdoing proportionately, but aim for restoration and peace—after accountability, choose forgiveness that repairs relationships and returns everyone to a healthy state.