Shloka 4
तामन्वगच्छन् द्रुतविक्रमां सतीम् एकां त्रिनेत्रानुचरा: सहस्रश: । सपार्षदयक्षा मणिमन्मदादय: पुरोवृषेन्द्रास्तरसा गतव्यथा: ॥ ४ ॥
tām anvagacchan druta-vikramāṁ satīm ekāṁ tri-netrānucarāḥ sahasraśaḥ sa-pārṣada-yakṣā maṇiman-madādayaḥ puro-vṛṣendrās tarasā gata-vyathāḥ
Seeing Satī depart alone with swift strides, thousands of attendants of Tri-netra Śiva—led by Maṇimān, Mada, and others—together with Yakṣas and companions, hurried after her, with the bull Nandī going in front.
Satī was going very fast so that she might not be checked by her husband, but she was immediately followed by the many thousands of disciples of Lord Śiva, headed by the Yakṣas Maṇimān and Mada. The word gata-vyathāḥ, used in this connection, means “without fear.” Satī did not care that she was going alone; therefore she was almost fearless. The word anucarāḥ is also significant, for it indicates that Lord Śiva’s disciples were always ready to sacrifice anything for Lord Śiva. All of them could understand the desire of Śiva, who did not want Satī to go alone. Anucarāḥ means “those who can immediately understand the purpose of their master.”
FAQs
This verse describes Satī leaving swiftly—initially alone—while Lord Śiva’s attendants, associates, and Yakṣas follow after her in great numbers, with Nandī leading.
Satī was the consort of Lord Śiva; his gaṇas and associates naturally guarded and accompanied her as she went toward Dakṣa’s sacrificial arena, sensing the seriousness of the situation.
Even when one feels compelled to act alone, wise support systems and protective companionship help one navigate emotionally charged family or social conflicts with greater steadiness.