Shloka 7
व्योमवाणी-श्रवणं, गणानां शरणागमनं, सती-दाह-वृत्तान्तः — Hearing the Heavenly Voice; The Gaṇas Seek Refuge; Account of Satī’s Self-Immolation
गर्वितेन महेशानदक्षेन सुदुरात्मना । अवमानः कृतस्सत्याऽनादरो निर्जरैस्तथा
garvitena maheśānadakṣena sudurātmanā | avamānaḥ kṛtassatyā'nādaro nirjaraistathā
By the arrogant Dakṣa—hostile to Lord Maheśa and utterly wicked in disposition—Satī was insulted; and the gods present there likewise treated her with disregard.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: The insult at Dakṣa’s yajña is a paradigmatic ‘concealment’ episode: ritual pride eclipses recognition of Śiva’s supremacy, precipitating catastrophe.
Significance: Warns that yajña/karma without devotion and right recognition of Pati becomes bondage (pāśa) and yields spiritual downfall.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights śiva-aparādha and bhakta-aparādha: pride and contempt toward Śiva and His devotee Satī leads to spiritual downfall, while true dharma requires reverence for Pati (Śiva) and His śakti.
Dakṣa’s hostility to Maheśa represents rejection of Saguna Śiva worship; the verse frames disrespect to Śiva (and His śakti) as a grave fault, reinforcing the Purāṇic call to honor Śiva through liṅga-pūjā and devotion.
The takeaway is to avoid aparādha and cultivate bhakti through regular Śiva-smaraṇa and japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with respectful observance of Śaiva marks like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) where appropriate.