Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 1
Dakṣa Offends Lord Śiva: Cursing and Countercursing in the Sacrificial Assembly
विदुर उवाच भवे शीलवतां श्रेष्ठे दक्षो दुहितृवत्सल: । विद्वेषमकरोत्कस्मादनादृत्यात्मजां सतीम् ॥ १ ॥
vidura uvāca bhave śīlavatāṁ śreṣṭhe dakṣo duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ vidveṣam akarot kasmād anādṛtyātmajāṁ satīm
വിദുരൻ ചോദിച്ചു—ശീലവാന്മാരിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠനായ ഭഗവാൻ ശിവനോടു, മകളോടു സ്നേഹമുള്ള ദക്ഷൻ എന്തുകൊണ്ട് വൈരഭാവം പുലർത്തി? തന്റെ പുത്രി സതിയെ എന്തുകൊണ്ട് അവഗണിച്ചു?
In the Second Chapter of the Fourth Canto, the cause of the dissension between Lord Śiva and Dakṣa, which was due to a great sacrifice arranged by Dakṣa for the pacification of the entire universe, is explained. Lord Śiva is described here as the best of the gentle because he is not envious of anyone, he is equal to all living entities, and all other good qualities are present in his personality. The word śiva means “all-auspicious.” No one can be an enemy of Lord Śiva’s, for he is so peaceful and renounced that he does not even construct a house for his residence, but lives underneath a tree, always detached from all worldly things. The personality of Lord Śiva symbolizes the best of gentleness. Then why was Dakṣa, who offered his beloved daughter to such a gentle personality, inimical towards Lord Śiva so intensely that Satī, the daughter of Dakṣa and wife of Lord Śiva, gave up her body?
FAQs
This verse raises the central puzzle: despite being fond of his daughter, Dakṣa came to resent her—setting the stage for the account of how pride and disregard for saintly relationships lead to conflict.
Vidura is seeking the deeper cause behind Dakṣa’s change of heart, and he approaches Maitreya—renowned for good conduct and wisdom—to understand the Bhagavatam’s moral and spiritual reasoning.
Affection alone is not enough; when ego and disrespect enter, even close relationships can turn hostile—so one should guard against pride and honor dharmic conduct toward family and the spiritually devoted.