Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 33
Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance
पत्न्य ऊचु: यज्ञोऽयं तव यजनाय केन सृष्टो विध्वस्त: पशुपतिनाद्य दक्षकोपात् । तं नस्त्वं शवशयनाभशान्तमेधं यज्ञात्मन्नलिनरुचा दृशा पुनीहि ॥ ३३ ॥
patnya ūcuḥ yajño ’yaṁ tava yajanāya kena sṛṣṭo vidhvastaḥ paśupatinādya dakṣa-kopāt taṁ nas tvaṁ śava-śayanābha-śānta-medhaṁ yajñātman nalina-rucā dṛśā punīhi
Sinabi ng mga asawa: Mahal na Panginoon, ang yajña na ito’y inihanda para sa pagsamba sa Iyo ayon sa utos ni Brahmā, ngunit dahil sa galit ni Dakṣa, winasak ito ni Śiva na Paśupati. Nakahandusay na patay ang mga hayop na alay at nawala ang kabanalan ng yajña. O Yajñātmā, linisin at gawing banal muli ang lugar na ito sa pamamagitan ng liwanag ng Iyong matang-loto.
Animals were offered in sacrifice in order to give them renewed life; that was the purpose of having animals there. Offering an animal in sacrifice and giving him renewed life was the evidence of the strength of chanting mantras. Unfortunately, when Dakṣa’s sacrifice was devastated by Lord Śiva, some of the animals were killed. (One was killed just to replace the head of Dakṣa.) Their bodies were lying about, and the sacrificial arena was turned into a crematorium. Thus the real purpose of yajña was lost.
FAQs
In this verse, Lord Viṣṇu is addressed as Yajñātman—“the very soul/essence of sacrifice,” indicating that all yajña ultimately exists for His satisfaction and is sanctified by His presence.
The wives state it was shattered by Paśupati (Śiva) due to Dakṣa’s anger and offense—showing how pride and disrespect toward great devotees disrupt sacred religious acts.
Ritual or religion becomes empty when driven by ego and hostility; genuine purity comes from humility, honoring devotees, and seeking the Lord’s grace to restore sanctity and peace.