Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 3
Dakṣa Offends Lord Śiva: Cursing and Countercursing in the Sacrificial Assembly
एतदाख्याहि मे ब्रह्मन्जामातु: श्वशुरस्य च । विद्वेषस्तु यत: प्राणांस्तत्यजे दुस्त्यजान्सती ॥ ३ ॥
etad ākhyāhi me brahman jāmātuḥ śvaśurasya ca vidveṣas tu yataḥ prāṇāṁs tatyaje dustyajān satī
Ô brahmane Maitreya, je t’en prie, explique-moi : quelle haine si farouche naquit entre le gendre et le beau-père, au point que la grande déesse Satī abandonna même la vie, si difficile à quitter ?
FAQs
This verse points to the intense enmity between Dakṣa and Lord Śiva; Satī abandoned her life due to the unbearable dishonor and hostility connected with that conflict.
Vidura seeks a clear narration of how the father-in-law (Dakṣa) and son-in-law (Śiva) became enemies, since that feud is the direct cause behind Satī’s tragic decision.
Unchecked hatred and social dishonor can destroy relationships and inner peace; the Bhagavatam urges humility, restraint, and avoiding offenses—especially toward saintly persons.