Shloka 21
Satī Desires to Attend Dakṣa’s Sacrifice; Śiva Warns Against the Pain of Relatives’ Insults
पापच्यमानेन हृदातुरेन्द्रिय: समृद्धिभि: पूरुषबुद्धिसाक्षिणाम् । अकल्प एषामधिरोढुमञ्जसा परं पदं द्वेष्टि यथासुरा हरिम् ॥ २१ ॥
pāpacyamānena hṛdāturendriyaḥ samṛddhibhiḥ pūruṣa-buddhi-sākṣiṇām akalpa eṣām adhiroḍhum añjasā paraṁ padaṁ dveṣṭi yathāsurā harim
One driven by false ego is ever distressed in mind and senses, unable to bear the opulence of the self-realized. Failing to rise to that standard, he envies them as the demons envy Śrī Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The real reason for the enmity between Lord Śiva and Dakṣa is explained here. Dakṣa was envious of Lord Śiva because of Śiva’s high position as an incarnation of a quality of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and because Śiva was directly in contact with the Supersoul and was therefore honored and given a better sitting place than he. There were many other reasons also. Dakṣa, being materially puffed up, could not tolerate the high position of Lord Śiva, so his anger at Lord Śiva’s not standing up in his presence was only the final manifestation of his envy. Lord Śiva is always in meditation and always perceives the Supersoul, as expressed here by the words pūruṣa-buddhi-sākṣiṇām. The position of one whose intelligence is always absorbed in meditation upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very great and cannot be imitated by anyone, especially an ordinary person. When Dakṣa entered the arena of yajña, Lord Śiva was in meditation and might not have seen Dakṣa enter, but Dakṣa took the opportunity to curse him because Dakṣa had maintained an envious attitude towards Lord Śiva for a long time. Those who are actually self-realized see every individual body as a temple of the Supreme Personality of Godhead because the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His Paramātmā feature, is residing in everyone’s body.
FAQs
This verse warns that opulence can scorch the heart and agitate the senses, making one unfit to attain the supreme abode; such attachment can even turn into aversion toward Lord Hari.
It refers to the Supreme Person as Paramātmā, who witnesses and sanctions the inner intentions and movements of one’s mind and intelligence.
Treat prosperity as a stewardship for service, cultivate humility and gratitude, and regularly engage in bhakti practices so the heart stays softened rather than “scorched” by enjoyment.