Shloka 19
Satī Desires to Attend Dakṣa’s Sacrifice; Śiva Warns Against the Pain of Relatives’ Insults
तथारिभिर्न व्यथते शिलीमुखै: शेतेऽर्दिताङ्गो हृदयेन दूयता । स्वानां यथा वक्रधियां दुरुक्तिभि- र्दिवानिशं तप्यति मर्मताडित: ॥ १९ ॥
tathāribhir na vyathate śilīmukhaiḥ śete ’rditāṅgo hṛdayena dūyatā svānāṁ yathā vakra-dhiyāṁ duruktibhir divā-niśaṁ tapyati marma-tāḍitaḥ
Even when struck by an enemy’s arrows one is not so afflicted as when cut by the harsh words of one’s own kin; that pain pierces the vital core and tears the heart day and night.
Satī might have concluded that she would take the risk of going to her father’s house and even if her father spoke unkindly against her she would be tolerant, as a son sometimes tolerates the reproaches of his parents. But Lord Śiva reminded her that she would not be able to tolerate such unkind words because natural psychology dictates that although one can suffer harm from an enemy and not mind so much because pain inflicted by an enemy is natural, when one is hurt by the strong words of a relative, one suffers the effects continually, day and night, and sometimes the injury becomes so intolerable that one commits suicide.
FAQs
This verse teaches that wounds from enemies may be tolerated, but cruel words from one’s own people strike the heart (marma) and cause deeper, continual suffering.
Satī is explaining to Śiva how unbearable Dakṣa’s insulting speech is—especially because it comes from her own father and relatives—setting the emotional context for her intense distress.
Be careful with speech at home: avoid sarcasm and contempt, and resolve conflicts without verbal cruelty—because words can leave deeper scars than physical harm.