Shloka 2
Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance
महादेव उवाच नाघं प्रजेश बालानां वर्णये नानुचिन्तये । देवमायाभिभूतानां दण्डस्तत्र धृतो मया ॥ २ ॥
mahādeva uvāca nāghaṁ prajeśa bālānāṁ varṇaye nānucintaye deva-māyābhibhūtānāṁ daṇḍas tatra dhṛto mayā
Mahādeva said: Dear Prajāpati Brahmā, I neither magnify the demigods’ offenses nor keep them in my heart. Like children, they are overcome by divine māyā; therefore I punished them only to set them right.
There are two types of punishment: one is that which a conqueror imposes on an enemy, and the other is like that a father imposes on his son. There is a gulf of difference between these two kinds of punishment. Lord Śiva is by nature a Vaiṣṇava, a great devotee, and his name in this connection is Āśutoṣa. He is always satisfied, and therefore he did not become angry as if he were an enemy. He is not inimical to any living entity; rather, he always wishes the welfare of all. Whenever he chastises a person, it is just like a father’s punishment of his son. Lord Śiva is like a father because he never takes seriously any offense by any living entities, especially the demigods.
FAQs
This verse states that people may act wrongly when overpowered by the Lord’s divine māyā; therefore Mahādeva does not fixate on their fault, recognizing the deeper influence behind their behavior.
After the turmoil surrounding Daksha’s sacrifice, Śiva addresses Daksha as the ruler of the people and expresses non-resentment, explaining that the chastisement was administered to correct those acting immaturely under māyā.
It encourages restraint and forgiveness: see others’ mistakes as arising from ignorance and conditioning, correct what is necessary without hatred, and avoid dwelling on blame.