Shloka 10
Vīrabhadra Destroys Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
Dakṣa-yajña-vināśa
यस्त्वन्तकाले व्युप्तजटाकलाप: स्वशूलसूच्यर्पितदिग्गजेन्द्र: । वितत्य नृत्यत्युदितास्त्रदोर्ध्वजान् उच्चाट्टहासस्तनयित्नुभिन्नदिक् ॥ १० ॥
yas tv anta-kāle vyupta-jaṭā-kalāpaḥ sva-śūla-sūcy-arpita-dig-gajendraḥ vitatya nṛtyaty uditāstra-dor-dhvajān uccāṭṭa-hāsa-stanayitnu-bhinna-dik
अन्तकाले व्युप्तजटाकलापो रुद्रो दिग्गजेन्द्रान् स्वशूलसूच्यर्पयति; उदितास्त्रदोर्ध्वजान् ध्वजवत् प्रसार्य उच्चाट्टहासो गर्वेण नृत्यति, तनयित्नुभिन्ना इव दिशः।
Prasūti, who appreciated the power and strength of her son-in-law, Lord Śiva, is describing what he does at the time of dissolution. This description indicates that the strength of Lord Śiva is so great that Dakṣa’s power could not be set in comparison to it. At the time of dissolution, Lord Śiva, with his trident in hand, dances over the rulers of the different planets, and his hair is scattered, just as the clouds are scattered over all directions in order to plunge the different planets into incessant torrents of rain. In the last phase of dissolution, all the planets become inundated with water, and that inundation is caused by the dancing of Lord Śiva. This dance is called the pralaya dance, or dance of dissolution. Prasūti could understand that the dangers ahead resulted not only from Dakṣa’s having neglected her daughter, but also because of his neglecting the prestige and honor of Lord Śiva.
FAQs
This verse depicts Lord Śiva’s fearsome pralaya-form: with loosened matted hair, he dances with uplifted weapons, and even the guardians of the directions are overcome—showing his role as the great agent of dissolution.
In the narrative surrounding Dakṣa’s sacrifice and offenses, the Bhāgavatam emphasizes Śiva’s immense potency; the fierce imagery underscores that insulting great devotees and devas has grave consequences.
It teaches humility and reverence: do not minimize spiritually powerful personalities, and remember that the universe is governed by higher divine order beyond human pride and control.