Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 5
Satī Desires to Attend Dakṣa’s Sacrifice; Śiva Warns Against the Pain of Relatives’ Insults
तदुपश्रुत्य नभसि खेचराणां प्रजल्पताम् । सती दाक्षायणी देवी पितृयज्ञमहोत्सवम् ॥ ५ ॥ व्रजन्ती: सर्वतो दिग्भ्य उपदेववरस्त्रिय: । विमानयाना: सप्रेष्ठा निष्ककण्ठी: सुवासस: ॥ ६ ॥ दृष्ट्वा स्वनिलयाभ्याशे लोलाक्षीर्मृष्टकुण्डला: । पतिं भूतपतिं देवमौत्सुक्यादभ्यभाषत ॥ ७ ॥
tad upaśrutya nabhasi khe-carāṇāṁ prajalpatām satī dākṣāyaṇī devī pitṛ-yajña-mahotsavam
Entendant dans le ciel les propos des êtres célestes qui volaient, la chaste Satī, fille de Dakṣa, apprit la grande fête du sacrifice aux ancêtres que son père accomplissait. Elle vit alors, de toutes les directions, les belles épouses des demi-dieux, montées sur des vimānas avec leurs bien-aimés, vêtues de riches étoffes et parées de colliers, boucles d’oreilles et pendentifs, passer près de sa demeure en route vers le sacrifice. Saisie d’empressement et d’inquiétude, Satī s’approcha de son époux, le maître des bhūtas, le deva Śaṅkara, et lui parla ainsi.
It appears that the residence of Lord Śiva was not on this planet but somewhere in outer space; otherwise how could Satī have seen the airplanes coming from different directions towards this planet and heard the passengers talking about the great sacrifice being performed by Dakṣa? Satī is described here as Dākṣāyaṇī because she was the daughter of Dakṣa. The mention of upadeva-vara refers to inferior demigods like the Gandharvas, Kinnaras and Uragas, who are not exactly demigods but between the demigods and human beings. They were also coming in planes. The word sva-nilayābhyāśe indicates that they were passing right near her residential quarters. The dress and bodily features of the wives of the heavenly denizens are very nicely described here. Their eyes moved, their earrings and other ornaments glittered and glared, their dresses were the nicest possible, and all of them had special lockets on their necklaces. Each woman was accompanied by her husband. Thus they looked so beautiful that Satī, Dākṣāyaṇī, was impelled to dress similarly and go to the sacrifice with her husband. That is the natural inclination of a woman.
FAQs
This verse notes that Dakṣa was holding a grand Pitṛ-yajña festival, news of which spread even among celestial travelers.
Because it was her father Dakṣa’s major sacrificial festival, and hearing others speak of it made her aware of the event and its significance.
The verse shows how hearing public talk can influence decisions; a devotee should verify context and act thoughtfully rather than impulsively.