Shloka 3
Satī at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice: Condemnation of Blasphemy and Voluntary Departure by Yoga-Fire
ततो विनि:श्वस्य सती विहाय तं शोकेन रोषेण च दूयता हृदा । पित्रोरगात्स्त्रैणविमूढधीर्गृहान् प्रेम्णात्मनो योऽर्धमदात्सतां प्रिय: ॥ ३ ॥
tato viniḥśvasya satī vihāya taṁ śokena roṣeṇa ca dūyatā hṛdā pitror agāt straiṇa-vimūḍha-dhīr gṛhān premṇātmano yo ’rdham adāt satāṁ priyaḥ
Thereafter Satī, heaving deep sighs, her heart scorched by grief and anger, left Śaṅkara—the beloved of the saintly, who out of love had given her half his own body—and went to her father’s home; her judgment, clouded by feminine weakness, led her to this unwise act.
According to the Vedic conception of family life, the husband gives half his body to his wife, and the wife gives half of her body to her husband. In other words, a husband without a wife or a wife without a husband is incomplete. Vedic marital relationship existed between Lord Śiva and Satī, but sometimes, due to weakness, a woman becomes very much attracted by the members of her father’s house, and this happened to Satī. In this verse it is specifically mentioned that she wanted to leave such a great husband as Śiva because of her womanly weakness. In other words, womanly weakness exists even in the relationship between husband and wife. Generally, separation between husband and wife is due to womanly behavior; divorce takes place due to womanly weakness. The best course for a woman is to abide by the orders of her husband. That makes family life very peaceful. Sometimes there may be misunderstandings between husband and wife, as found even in such an elevated family relationship as that of Satī and Lord Śiva, but a wife should not leave her husband’s protection because of such a misunderstanding. If she does so, it is understood to be due to her womanly weakness.
FAQs
Because her heart was overwhelmed by grief and anger over Dakṣa’s offense, and her judgment became clouded by attachment to her parental home, she went to her parents despite Śiva’s position as the beloved of the saintly.
It means “dear to the saintly”—highlighting Śiva’s exalted status as cherished by devotees and spiritually advanced persons, even though Satī momentarily left him due to emotional turmoil.
It warns that strong emotions and attachment can cloud discernment; one should pause, breathe, and choose actions guided by dharma and devotion rather than impulsive anger or social pressure.