Shloka 24
Satī Desires to Attend Dakṣa’s Sacrifice; Śiva Warns Against the Pain of Relatives’ Insults
तत्ते निरीक्ष्यो न पितापि देहकृद् दक्षो मम द्विट्तदनुव्रताश्च ये । यो विश्वसृग्यज्ञगतं वरोरु मा- मनागसं दुर्वचसाकरोत्तिर: ॥ २४ ॥
tat te nirīkṣyo na pitāpi deha-kṛd dakṣo mama dviṭ tad-anuvratāś ca ye yo viśvasṛg-yajña-gataṁ varoru mām anāgasaṁ durvacasākarot tiraḥ
Therefore do not even look upon your father Dakṣa, though he gave you this body, for he and his followers are envious of me. O most venerable one, out of envy he has insulted me—though innocent—with cruel words in the assembly of Viśvasṛj’s sacrifice.
For a woman, both the husband and the father are equally worshipable. The husband is the protector of a woman during her youthful life, whereas the father is her protector during her childhood. Thus both are worshipable, but especially the father because he is the giver of the body. Lord Śiva reminded Satī, “Your father is undoubtedly worshipable, even more than I am, but take care, for although he is the giver of your body he may also be the taker of your body, because when you see your father he may insult you because of your association with me. An insult from a relative is worse than death, especially when one is well situated.”
FAQs
This verse shows Lord Shiva rejecting respect for those driven by envy—even if they are family—because envy leads to cruel speech and offense toward the innocent.
Because Daksha publicly insulted Sati at the sacrificial arena with harsh words, and Shiva warns her that such a person, and his followers, are not worthy of honor.
Do not normalize abusive or degrading speech, even from influential or close family members; maintain dignity, avoid toxic company, and protect devotion and character from envy-driven criticism.