Shloka 24
Vīrabhadra Destroys Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
Dakṣa-yajña-vināśa
दृष्ट्वा संज्ञपनं योगं पशूनां स पतिर्मखे । यजमानपशो: कस्य कायात्तेनाहरच्छिर: ॥ २४ ॥
dṛṣṭvā saṁjñapanaṁ yogaṁ paśūnāṁ sa patir makhe yajamāna-paśoḥ kasya kāyāt tenāharac chiraḥ
تب ویربھدر نے قربان گاہ میں جانوروں کو ذبح کرنے والا لکڑی کا آلہ دیکھا۔ اس نے اس موقع کا فائدہ اٹھاتے ہوئے دکش کا سر قلم کر دیا۔
In this connection it is to be noted that the device used for killing animals in the sacrifice was not designed to facilitate eating their flesh. The killing was specifically intended to give a new life to the sacrificed animal by the power of Vedic mantra. The animals were sacrificed to test the strength of Vedic mantras; yajñas were performed as a test of the mantra. Even in the modern age, tests are executed on animal bodies in the physiology laboratory. Similarly, whether or not the brāhmaṇas were uttering the Vedic hymns correctly was tested by sacrifice in the arena. On the whole, the animals thus sacrificed were not at all the losers. Some old animals would be sacrificed, but in exchange for their old bodies they received other, new bodies. That was the test of Vedic mantras. Vīrabhadra, instead of sacrificing animals with the wooden device, immediately beheaded Dakṣa, to the astonishment of everyone.
FAQs
It describes the moment when the lord of the sacrifice (Vīrabhadra in the scene) takes the head of the yajamāna’s animal from its body—indicating the violent disruption of Dakṣa’s yajña.
In the narrative of Dakṣa’s yajña, Dakṣa is the sacrificer (yajamāna); the verse refers to the sacrificial animal connected with the performer, emphasizing the humiliation and collapse of his ritual due to offense and arrogance.
Ritual, status, or achievement without humility and respect for devotees can lead to downfall; spiritual life must be grounded in devotion and right conduct, not ego.