Shloka 4
Dakṣa Offends Lord Śiva: Cursing and Countercursing in the Sacrificial Assembly
मैत्रेय उवाच पुरा विश्वसृजां सत्रे समेता: परमर्षय: । तथामरगणा: सर्वे सानुगा मुनयोऽग्नय: ॥ ४ ॥
maitreya uvāca purā viśva-sṛjāṁ satre sametāḥ paramarṣayaḥ tathāmara-gaṇāḥ sarve sānugā munayo ’gnayaḥ
Maitreya said: Long ago, at a great satra sacrifice performed by the leaders of universal creation, all the exalted sages, the hosts of devas, and the fire-gods, along with their followers, assembled.
Upon being asked by Vidura, the sage Maitreya began to explain the cause of the misunderstanding between Lord Śiva and Dakṣa, because of which the goddess Satī gave up her body. Thus begins the history of a great sacrifice performed by the leaders of the universal creation, namely Marīci, Dakṣa and Vasiṣṭha. These great personalities arranged for a great sacrifice, for which demigods like Indra and the fire-gods assembled with their followers. Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva were also present.
FAQs
A sattra is an extended Vedic sacrificial assembly where great sages and divine beings gather to perform sacred rites for maintaining cosmic order and dharma.
He sets the scene for the events connected with the Prajapatis’ sacrificial context, where major conflicts and teachings about dharma, pride, and devotion unfold.
Seek spiritually elevating association—being in the company of sincere practitioners and sacred practices strengthens humility, clarity, and commitment to dharma.