Shloka 14
नभोवाणी-दक्ष-निन्दा तथा सती-माहात्म्य-प्रतिपादनम् / The Celestial Voice Rebukes Dakṣa and Proclaims Satī’s Greatness
ईदृग्विधा सती देवी यस्य पत्नी सदा प्रिया । तस्यै भागो न दत्तस्ते मूढेन कुविचारिणा
īdṛgvidhā satī devī yasya patnī sadā priyā | tasyai bhāgo na dattaste mūḍhena kuvicāriṇā
“Satī Devī—so virtuous and exalted—was ever the beloved wife of Śiva. Yet to her no sacrificial share was given by you, O Dakṣa, in your folly and perverse judgment.”
Satī (addressing Dakṣa, as narrated by Sūta Gosvāmin)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Dakṣa’s yajña becomes the archetypal warning that ritual (karma-kāṇḍa) without honoring Śiva and Śakti turns barren and self-destructive; Satī’s exclusion precipitates the collapse of the sacrifice and the later sanctification of sites connected with the event.
Significance: Teaches that true merit arises from right devotion and recognition of Pati (Śiva) and His Śakti; neglect of them is a spiritual ‘withholding of the share’ that blocks auspiciousness.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
The verse condemns prideful, distorted intellect that refuses to honor Śiva and His Śakti; in Shaiva understanding, denying Śiva’s place in worship severs dharma and invites spiritual downfall.
A yajña without acknowledging Śiva (Saguna worship through name, form, and offerings—often centered on the Liṅga) becomes hollow; the Purāṇa stresses that all ritual fruit depends on reverence to Śiva as Pati, the Lord of all.
The takeaway is to include Śiva-bhakti in all rites—mentally offer the yajña’s fruit to Śiva and repeat the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with humility, avoiding contempt toward devotees or Śiva’s worship.