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
湿婆说道：普沙只能借助祭主弟子的牙齿来咀嚼；若独自一人，他只得以鹰嘴豆粉团充饥。然而，那些同意把祭祀份额给我的诸天，将从一切创伤中复原，肢体完好如初。
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.