Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 4
Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance
पूषा तु यजमानस्य दद्भिर्जक्षतु पिष्टभुक् । देवा: प्रकृतसर्वाङ्गा ये म उच्छेषणं ददु: ॥ ४ ॥
pūṣā tu yajamānasya dadbhir jakṣatu piṣṭa-bhuk devāḥ prakṛta-sarvāṅgā ye ma uccheṣaṇaṁ daduḥ
Śiva nói: Pūṣā chỉ có thể nhai nhờ răng của các đệ tử của vị chủ tế; nếu ở một mình, ông phải tạm no bằng bột nhào từ đậu gà. Nhưng các chư thiên đã đồng ý dâng cho ta phần tế lễ sẽ hồi phục mọi thương tích và trở lại toàn vẹn thân thể.
The demigod Pūṣā became dependent on his disciples for chewing; otherwise he was allowed to swallow only dough made of chickpea flour. Thus his punishment continued. He could not use his teeth for eating, since he had laughed at Lord Śiva, deriding him by showing his teeth. In other words, it was not appropriate for him to have teeth, for he had used them against Lord Śiva.
FAQs
This verse shows Śiva shifting from punishment to reconciliation—he assigns Pūṣā a fitting consequence and blesses the devas with restoration, indicating mercy after correction.
In the aftermath of Dakṣa’s offense and the disruption of the sacrifice, Śiva addresses those involved: Pūṣā receives a specific recompense, while the devas who offered him remnants are granted normalcy again.
Correct wrongdoing proportionately, but aim for restoration and peace—after accountability, choose forgiveness that repairs relationships and returns everyone to a healthy state.