Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 20
Satī Desires to Attend Dakṣa’s Sacrifice; Śiva Warns Against the Pain of Relatives’ Insults
व्यक्तं त्वमुत्कृष्टगते: प्रजापते: प्रियात्मजानामसि सुभ्रु मे मता । तथापि मानं न पितु: प्रपत्स्यसे मदाश्रयात्क: परितप्यते यत: ॥ २० ॥
vyaktaṁ tvam utkṛṣṭa-gateḥ prajāpateḥ priyātmajānām asi subhru me matā tathāpi mānaṁ na pituḥ prapatsyase mad-āśrayāt kaḥ paritapyate yataḥ
Oh esposa mía de tez clara, es evidente que entre las hijas de Dakṣa Prajāpati tú eres la más querida; sin embargo, por estar bajo mi amparo no recibirás honor en la casa de tu padre, y más bien te dolerá estar vinculada conmigo.
Lord Śiva put forward the argument that even if Satī proposed to go alone, without her husband, still she would not be received well because she was his wife. There was every chance of a catastrophe, even if she wanted to go alone. Therefore Lord Śiva indirectly requested her not to go to her father’s house.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one who takes shelter of Shiva (a foremost Vaiṣṇava and great lord) need not be crushed by worldly disrespect, because spiritual shelter grants inner protection and steadiness.
Sati wished to attend her father Dakṣa’s sacrifice; Shiva, foreseeing Dakṣa’s envy and insult, warned her that she would not be honored there, and reminded her that shelter in him makes external affronts powerless.
Do your duty without craving validation, stay anchored in spiritual shelter (prayer, sādhana, and saintly guidance), and don’t let others’ pride decide your inner peace.