Shloka 18
Satī Desires to Attend Dakṣa’s Sacrifice; Śiva Warns Against the Pain of Relatives’ Insults
नैतादृशानां स्वजनव्यपेक्षया गृहान्प्रतीयादनवस्थितात्मनाम् । येऽभ्यागतान् वक्रधियाभिचक्षते आरोपितभ्रूभिरमर्षणाक्षिभि: ॥ १८ ॥
naitādṛśānāṁ sva-jana-vyapekṣayā gṛhān pratīyād anavasthitātmanām ye ’bhyāgatān vakra-dhiyābhicakṣate āropita-bhrūbhir amarṣaṇākṣibhiḥ
One should not go to the house of such unsteady-minded persons, even if they are one’s own kin; for they look upon a guest with crooked intent, raised brows, and angry eyes.
However low a person may be, he is never unkind to his children, wife and nearest kin; even a tiger is kind to its cubs, for within the animal kingdom the cubs are treated very nicely. Since Satī was the daughter of Dakṣa, however cruel and contaminated he might be, naturally it was expected that he would receive her very nicely. But here it is indicated by the word anavasthita that such a person cannot be trusted. Tigers are very kind to their cubs, but it is also known that sometimes they eat them. Malicious persons should not be trusted, because they are always unsteady. Thus Satī was advised not to go to her father’s house because to accept such a father as a relative and to go to his house without being properly invited was not suitable.
FAQs
This verse condemns those who receive guests with crooked intent and angry eyes, implying that proper atithi-dharma is to welcome a guest respectfully, not with resentment or hostility.
Satī warns Śiva about going to Dakṣa’s side, describing the mentality of people who are unstable and resentful toward guests—reflecting the hostile environment created by Dakṣa’s envy and disrespect.
Do not force yourself into spaces where you are clearly unwelcome or where dignity and respect are absent; maintain self-respect and choose association where basic civility and dharma are honored.