Shloka 26
Vīrabhadra Destroys Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
Dakṣa-yajña-vināśa
जुहावैतच्छिरस्तस्मिन्दक्षिणाग्नावमर्षित: । तद्देवयजनं दग्ध्वा प्रातिष्ठद् गुह्यकालयम् ॥ २६ ॥
juhāvaitac chiras tasmin dakṣiṇāgnāv amarṣitaḥ tad-deva-yajanaṁ dagdhvā prātiṣṭhad guhyakālayam
Vīrabhadra then took the head and with great anger threw it into the southern side of the sacrificial fire, offering it as an oblation. In this way the followers of Lord Śiva devastated all the arrangements for sacrifice. After setting fire to the whole arena, they departed for their master’s abode, Kailāsa.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fourth Canto, Fifth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Frustration of the Sacrifice of Dakṣa.”
FAQs
In this verse, Vīrabhadra, enraged, offers Dakṣa’s head into the southern fire and burns the sacrificial arena, showing how a yajña devoid of proper respect and devotion becomes ruined.
After punishing Dakṣa for his grave offense connected to Lord Śiva and the devotees, Vīrabhadra completes the act of destruction and then withdraws to the Guhyakas’ region, indicating the conclusion of his mission.
It warns that pride and disrespect—especially toward saintly persons—can destroy even ‘religious’ activities; spiritual practice should be grounded in humility and reverence, not ego or show.