Shloka 17
व्योमवाणी-श्रवणं, गणानां शरणागमनं, सती-दाह-वृत्तान्तः — Hearing the Heavenly Voice; The Gaṇas Seek Refuge; Account of Satī’s Self-Immolation
त्वां प्रशस्याथ स स्वामी सत्या वार्त्तां च पृष्टवान् । दक्षयज्ञगताया वै परं च चरितं तथा
tvāṃ praśasyātha sa svāmī satyā vārttāṃ ca pṛṣṭavān | dakṣayajñagatāyā vai paraṃ ca caritaṃ tathā
Then the Lord, praising you, asked about Satī’s tidings—especially the supreme account of what occurred when she went to Dakṣa’s sacrifice.
Sūta Gosvāmī
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: The Dakṣa-yajña episode functions as a pan-Purāṇic sthala-motif: Satī’s insult and self-immolation precipitate Rudra’s intervention and the disruption of sacrificial pride.
Significance: Hearing/reciting the Dakṣa-yajña narrative is traditionally held to reduce ahaṅkāra and restore śiva-bhakti through humility.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse frames Satī’s Dakṣa-yajña episode as a “parama-carita” (central, weighty turning-point), highlighting how ego-driven ritual (yajña without reverence to Pati, Shiva) collapses, while true devotion and dharma are measured by inner alignment rather than social approval.
By calling Shiva “svāmī” and showing his concern for Satī’s welfare and the unfolding of events, the text emphasizes Saguna Shiva as the personal Lord who responds within history—guiding devotees through trials. Such narratives ground Linga-worship in lived devotion, not mere symbolism.
The practical takeaway is to keep worship free from pride and disrespect: perform Shiva-pūjā with humility, remember the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as a stabilizing japa, and approach all rites (yajña, vrata, pūjā) with devotion rather than ego.