Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 22
Satī at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice: Condemnation of Blasphemy and Voluntary Departure by Yoga-Fire
नैतेन देहेन हरे कृतागसो देहोद्भवेनालमलं कुजन्मना । व्रीडा ममाभूत्कुजनप्रसङ्गत- स्तज्जन्म धिग्यो महतामवद्यकृत् ॥ २२ ॥
naitena dehena hare kṛtāgaso dehodbhavenālam alaṁ kujanmanā vrīḍā mamābhūt kujana-prasaṅgatas taj janma dhig yo mahatām avadya-kṛt
Ô Hari, tu es un offenseur aux pieds de lotus de Śitikantha (Śiva), et, hélas, mon corps est né du tien. J’ai une honte profonde de ce lien charnel ; parce que je suis liée à celui qui offense les pieds de la plus grande Personne, je condamne jusqu’à ma propre naissance.
Lord Śiva is the greatest of all devotees of Lord Viṣṇu. It is stated, vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ. Śambhu, Lord Śiva, is the greatest of all devotees of Lord Viṣṇu. In the previous verses, Satī has described that Lord Śiva is always in a transcendental position because he is situated in pure vasudeva. Vasudeva is that state from which Kṛṣṇa, Vāsudeva, is born, so Lord Śiva is the greatest devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and Satī’s behavior is exemplary because no one should tolerate blasphemy against Lord Viṣṇu or His devotee. Satī is aggrieved not for her personal association with Lord Śiva but because her body is related with that of Dakṣa, who is an offender at Lord Śiva’s lotus feet. She feels herself to be condemned because of the body given by her father, Dakṣa.
FAQs
This verse shows that offense against great souls is considered profoundly blameworthy; Sati feels deep shame and condemns the very family connection that enabled such an offense, highlighting the gravity of aparādha in spiritual life.
After Daksha insulted Lord Shiva, Sati—distressed by her father’s offense—addresses Hari, expressing remorse and renouncing identification with a birth connected to one who blasphemes exalted beings.
Guard speech and online behavior, avoid criticizing sincere devotees and teachers, keep humble company, and when mistakes occur, seek forgiveness—because association and words can either elevate devotion or create serious obstacles.