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
诸祭主之妻说道：主啊，此祭祀原依梵天之命为供奉您而设；不幸因达刹之怒，兽主湿婆摧毁了会场，祭牲横陈而死，祭仪的清净尽失。噢，祭祀之本体（Yajñātmā），愿您以莲华般明净的目光再度净化此祭坛。
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.