The mythological story of Daksha Yaga
has immense influence in Shaivism, Shaktism literatures. Innumerable
mythologies were derived or resulted as an epilogue of this mythology,
The origin of Shakti Peethas, Marriage of Shiva and ShreeParvati
resulting in the birth of Ganesh and Subrahmanya, the story about the
death of Kamadeva are few among them.
Daksha was one of the Prajapati, Son Brahma and one among his foremost creations. The name Daksha means ‘Skilled one’. Daksha had two wives Prasoothi and Panchajani (Virini). Sati (also known as ‘‘Uma’’ for her generous austerity) was his youngest daughter born from Prasoothi (the daughter of the Prajapati Manu), she was the pet child of Daksha and he always carried her along with him. Sati, the name means the feminine of Sat (‘The truth’). She is called Dakshayani as she followed Daksha’s path, this is derived from Sanskrit words Daksha and Ayana(Walk or Path).
The mythology is mainly told in the Vaayu Purana. It is also mentioned in the Kasi Kanda of the Skanda Purana, the Kurma Purana, Harivamsa Purana and Padma Purana. Linga Purana, Shiva Purana and Matsya Purana also narrates the incident.
Shiva on the other hand led a very modest life. He lived among the
downtrodden, wore a tiger skin, he smeared ashes on his body, he had
thick locks of matted hair, he begged with a skull as bowl, his abode is
Mount Kailasa in the freezing cold Himalayas
where only mountains, rocks and snow were present. He embraced all kind
of living being and did not keep any distinction between good soul and
bad soul, the Bhutaganas’
(assembly of heads of clans), his followers, consisted of all kinds of
ghosts, demons, ghouls and goblins. He wandered though garden and
graveyard alike.
Daksha hence had aversion towards Shiva in being his daughter’s companion. However unlike Daksha, Sati Devi loved Shiva as she had the revelation that Shiva, the Supreme Rudra is in fact The Mahadev, or The Paramashwara (The Supreme Almighty-Parabrahma) itself.
When his daughters’ grew up, Daksha conducted a Swayamvara yagam. Swayamvara was an ancient kind of marriage, where the woman gets the authority to choose her husband from the prospective proposals. Sati undoubtedly chose Shiva. The marriage ceremony of Sati and Shiva was conducted. Daksha was forced to accept Shiva as his son-in-law, as he could not influence the groom selection process.
Brahma's Yaga
Once Brahma dev Daksha’s father conducted a huge yaga, all the Prajapathi around the world and all the Adityas, Kings were called upon by Brahma for the yaga. Shiva and Sati were also called to participate in the yaga. All of them came for the yaga and sat in the ceremonial place. Daksha came last. When he came all of them in the yaga stood up in reverence for him as he was one of the Prajapati, but Brahma, Shiva and Sati Devi did not stand when Daksha came to the yaga shala.
It was a worldwide ceremony where in all the Emperors, Kings and revered people around the world were present so strict adherence in etiquette was mandatory. Brahma Dev did not stand as he was Daksha’s father. Sati did not stand as she can only follow what her husband does.
Shiva was following the cultural etiquette of a son-in-law. According to the culture Son-in-Law is the one who is the guardian of a man's daughter; a highly respected stature. The culture is that once a girl is married to a man the girl moves out of her Gotra(race) and joins her husband's Gotra. The couple is then considered as outsiders to the girl's family. Daksha is the son of the yaga host, Brahma deva; which apparently makes Daksha the host himself. A prevalent culture in the region is that, for welcoming an incoming guest, hosts stand up and receive him. Another culture is that a guest need not have to welcome an inmate in the inmate's home; where as a younger inmate of a house should stand and show his reverence when an older inmate comes.
Shiva was a guest of Daksha, and if he stood up, it would be like Shiva, the son-in-law welcoming Daksha in Daksha’s home. More than that if Shiva stood up he is indirectly proclaiming that he is an inmate of his wife's house, in-front of the whole world, which is culturally considered as one of the worst social status, a man and his family can possess. So Shiva sat in his chair itself when Daksha came, in order to comply with the etiquette formalities. It was not only to guard his and his Gotra's prestige but also Daksha's prestige in-front of the world. Daksha being an Emperor will get insulted in front of the entire world in making his son-in-law as his house member, it will be a disgrace to Sati too. But Daksha, the pompous Emperor, misunderstood Shiva’s gesture. He thought Shiva was insulting him by not paying respect towards him. He vowed to take revenge on the insult in the same manner.
The Daksha Yaga
Daksha’s grudge towards Shiva compounded after these incidents. As a prime motive to insult Shiva, Daksha started a great yaga similar the yaga conducted by Brahma. The Yaga was to be presided by Sage Bhrigu. He invited all the Adityas(Gods), Prajapatis’ and Kings to attend the yaga and intentionally avoided inviting Shiva and Sati.
Upon reaching Sati tried to meet her parents and sisters, Daksha was arrogant and avoided to interact with Sati. He repeatedly snubbed her in front of all the dignitaries but Sati maintained her composure. Upon Sati’s persistent urge to interact, Daksha reacted vehemently, he insulted her in front of all others in coming to the ceremony in which she has not been invited. He called Shiva atheist and cremation ground dweller. As planned he took advantage of the situation he continued shouting repugnant words against Shiva. Sati fell in deep remorse in not listening to her beloved husband, Daksha’s disdain towards her and especially towards her dearly loved Shiva in front of the entire people was growing each instant she stood there. The shameless insult and humiliation on her and her beloved eventually became too unbearable for her.
She cursed Daksha for doing such atrocious act towards his innocent
child and her well respected husband and reminded him that his haughty
behavior had blinded his intellect. She cursed him that the wrath of
Shiva will destroy him and his empire. Sati unable to bear further pain
suicided, by moving into the sacrificial fire. The beloved daughter of
the entire race was engulfed in fire.
The onlookers around tried to save Sati by extinguishing the fire but it was too late.They were only able to find the half burnt body of Sati. She was no more. The most loved progeny of Daksha's race who was the source of their happiness of their rece faded away like a gleam to satisfy her father's pride. Daksha's pride being a Prajapati and prejudice against his son-in-law created amass hatred within himself, which resulted in the death of his daughter.
The Nandi and the accompanied bhootas went out of the yaga place after the incident. Nandi curses the participants and Bhrigu reacted by cursing the Bhootaganas back.
Shiva went in pang upon hearing the shocking death of his wife. His
sadness and grief grew into terrible anger when he knew how Daksha
viciously plotted a treachery on Shiva and it was his innocent wife who
fell into the trap instead of him. Shiva came to know about Daksha’s
callous behavior towards Sati. Even though Sati was once his favorite
daughter; in order to satisfy his ego and pride he forced Sati to die
dishonorably. Shiva tantrum became so aggravated that he plucked a bunch
of his lock from head and dashed it to the ground and broke it into two
with his leg. Armed and frightening Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali
(Invocation Bhadrakali along with Veerabhadra mentioned in Vayu Purana)
emerged from that. Shiva ordered them to kill Daksha and destroy the
yaga.
The ferocious Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali along with the Butaganas’ marched south and waged a terrible assault towards Daksha. Daksha’s army was swiftly and brutally crushed and slaughtered and they started destroying the yaga surroundings, like a hurricane entering a city, people renounced the yaga and started running away from the turmoil.
Sage Bhrigu created an army with his divine penance powers to resist Shiva’s attack and protect the yaga. Bhrigu’s army was not able to bear the brunt, they were demolished and the entire premises were ravaged. All those who participated even the Prajapathis and Adityas(Gods) were mercilessly beaten, wounded or even slaughtered. Daksha was caught and decapitated, the attack culminated when the Bhutaganas started plucking out Sage Bhrigu’s white beard as a victory souvenir.
According to the Shaiva and Vaishnava Puranas the mythology of Daksha Yaga ends here. The rest of the mythology is the epilogue of story of Daksha Yaga mentioned in Shakta Puranas like Devi Bhagavatha Purana, Kalika Purana and the folklores of various regions. The one following is a Shaiva version. The Vaishnava versions are also mentioned in the Notes section.
Shiva was so distressed and could not part away from his beloved wife. He took the dead body of Sati and wandered around the land. The parts of Sati’s dead body fell on the places Shiva wandered. These places commemorating each body part came to be known as The Shakti peethas. There are 51 Shakti peethas, representing the 51 alphabets of Sanskrit.
Shiva went to isolation and solitude for ages and wandered all around until Sati devi took birth as Shri Parvati as the daughter of the King Himavana.
Parvati took penance and gave away all her royal privileges and went to forest She then came to be known as ‘‘Aparna’’ the one without sustenance.
Shiva tested her affection and devotion in disguise and even persuaded her to go away by telling downbeat impression about Shiva, but Parvati’s contemplation towards Shiva was so strong, Shiva himself could not deter her.
He eventually realized Parvati is Uma or Sati herself. Shiva later on married Shri Parvati as Sundareshwara.
Daksha was one of the Prajapati, Son Brahma and one among his foremost creations. The name Daksha means ‘Skilled one’. Daksha had two wives Prasoothi and Panchajani (Virini). Sati (also known as ‘‘Uma’’ for her generous austerity) was his youngest daughter born from Prasoothi (the daughter of the Prajapati Manu), she was the pet child of Daksha and he always carried her along with him. Sati, the name means the feminine of Sat (‘The truth’). She is called Dakshayani as she followed Daksha’s path, this is derived from Sanskrit words Daksha and Ayana(Walk or Path).
The mythology is mainly told in the Vaayu Purana. It is also mentioned in the Kasi Kanda of the Skanda Purana, the Kurma Purana, Harivamsa Purana and Padma Purana. Linga Purana, Shiva Purana and Matsya Purana also narrates the incident.
Sati-Shiva Marriage
Sati, the youngest daughter of Daksha, was in deep love with Shiva
and wished to become his wife. Her worship and devotion towards Shiva,
strengthened the immense desire in her to become his better half.
However Daksha did not like his daughter’s contemplation towards Shiva,
mainly because Daksha is a Prajapati,
the Emperor of dakshina desa of Aryavarta (ancient Indian region
(comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh) following
the Aryan culture), and the son of Brahma
deva; and Sati, the Emperor's daughter, apparently the royal princess.
They were wealthy nobility and their imperial royal lifestyle was
entirely different to that of Shiva. Daksha as an Emperor wanted to
increase his influence and power by having marriage alliances with
powerful empires and influential Sages and Adityas(Gods).
Daksha hence had aversion towards Shiva in being his daughter’s companion. However unlike Daksha, Sati Devi loved Shiva as she had the revelation that Shiva, the Supreme Rudra is in fact The Mahadev, or The Paramashwara (The Supreme Almighty-Parabrahma) itself.
When his daughters’ grew up, Daksha conducted a Swayamvara yagam. Swayamvara was an ancient kind of marriage, where the woman gets the authority to choose her husband from the prospective proposals. Sati undoubtedly chose Shiva. The marriage ceremony of Sati and Shiva was conducted. Daksha was forced to accept Shiva as his son-in-law, as he could not influence the groom selection process.
Brahma's Yaga
Once Brahma dev Daksha’s father conducted a huge yaga, all the Prajapathi around the world and all the Adityas, Kings were called upon by Brahma for the yaga. Shiva and Sati were also called to participate in the yaga. All of them came for the yaga and sat in the ceremonial place. Daksha came last. When he came all of them in the yaga stood up in reverence for him as he was one of the Prajapati, but Brahma, Shiva and Sati Devi did not stand when Daksha came to the yaga shala.
It was a worldwide ceremony where in all the Emperors, Kings and revered people around the world were present so strict adherence in etiquette was mandatory. Brahma Dev did not stand as he was Daksha’s father. Sati did not stand as she can only follow what her husband does.
Shiva was following the cultural etiquette of a son-in-law. According to the culture Son-in-Law is the one who is the guardian of a man's daughter; a highly respected stature. The culture is that once a girl is married to a man the girl moves out of her Gotra(race) and joins her husband's Gotra. The couple is then considered as outsiders to the girl's family. Daksha is the son of the yaga host, Brahma deva; which apparently makes Daksha the host himself. A prevalent culture in the region is that, for welcoming an incoming guest, hosts stand up and receive him. Another culture is that a guest need not have to welcome an inmate in the inmate's home; where as a younger inmate of a house should stand and show his reverence when an older inmate comes.
Shiva was a guest of Daksha, and if he stood up, it would be like Shiva, the son-in-law welcoming Daksha in Daksha’s home. More than that if Shiva stood up he is indirectly proclaiming that he is an inmate of his wife's house, in-front of the whole world, which is culturally considered as one of the worst social status, a man and his family can possess. So Shiva sat in his chair itself when Daksha came, in order to comply with the etiquette formalities. It was not only to guard his and his Gotra's prestige but also Daksha's prestige in-front of the world. Daksha being an Emperor will get insulted in front of the entire world in making his son-in-law as his house member, it will be a disgrace to Sati too. But Daksha, the pompous Emperor, misunderstood Shiva’s gesture. He thought Shiva was insulting him by not paying respect towards him. He vowed to take revenge on the insult in the same manner.
The Daksha Yaga
Daksha’s grudge towards Shiva compounded after these incidents. As a prime motive to insult Shiva, Daksha started a great yaga similar the yaga conducted by Brahma. The Yaga was to be presided by Sage Bhrigu. He invited all the Adityas(Gods), Prajapatis’ and Kings to attend the yaga and intentionally avoided inviting Shiva and Sati.
- Sati's entry to the ceremony
Upon reaching Sati tried to meet her parents and sisters, Daksha was arrogant and avoided to interact with Sati. He repeatedly snubbed her in front of all the dignitaries but Sati maintained her composure. Upon Sati’s persistent urge to interact, Daksha reacted vehemently, he insulted her in front of all others in coming to the ceremony in which she has not been invited. He called Shiva atheist and cremation ground dweller. As planned he took advantage of the situation he continued shouting repugnant words against Shiva. Sati fell in deep remorse in not listening to her beloved husband, Daksha’s disdain towards her and especially towards her dearly loved Shiva in front of the entire people was growing each instant she stood there. The shameless insult and humiliation on her and her beloved eventually became too unbearable for her.
The onlookers around tried to save Sati by extinguishing the fire but it was too late.They were only able to find the half burnt body of Sati. She was no more. The most loved progeny of Daksha's race who was the source of their happiness of their rece faded away like a gleam to satisfy her father's pride. Daksha's pride being a Prajapati and prejudice against his son-in-law created amass hatred within himself, which resulted in the death of his daughter.
The Nandi and the accompanied bhootas went out of the yaga place after the incident. Nandi curses the participants and Bhrigu reacted by cursing the Bhootaganas back.
The wrath of Shiva
The ferocious Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali along with the Butaganas’ marched south and waged a terrible assault towards Daksha. Daksha’s army was swiftly and brutally crushed and slaughtered and they started destroying the yaga surroundings, like a hurricane entering a city, people renounced the yaga and started running away from the turmoil.
Sage Bhrigu created an army with his divine penance powers to resist Shiva’s attack and protect the yaga. Bhrigu’s army was not able to bear the brunt, they were demolished and the entire premises were ravaged. All those who participated even the Prajapathis and Adityas(Gods) were mercilessly beaten, wounded or even slaughtered. Daksha was caught and decapitated, the attack culminated when the Bhutaganas started plucking out Sage Bhrigu’s white beard as a victory souvenir.
According to the Shaiva and Vaishnava Puranas the mythology of Daksha Yaga ends here. The rest of the mythology is the epilogue of story of Daksha Yaga mentioned in Shakta Puranas like Devi Bhagavatha Purana, Kalika Purana and the folklores of various regions. The one following is a Shaiva version. The Vaishnava versions are also mentioned in the Notes section.
The sorrow of Shiva
The sacrificial ceremony of this extent, the yagnja, was obstructed and desolated. As the obstruction of yaga will create havoc and severe ill effects on the nature, Brahma and Vishnu went to call the grief stricken Shiva to the location of yaga. They comforted and showed their sympathy towards Shiva. They requested him to come to the yaga location and pacify the bhutagana s’ and allow the yaga to be completed. Shiva agreed and the Trimurthy together came to the site. Shiva found the burnt body of his wife. In the poignant surroundings, nobody around could prevent their eyes getting wet when they saw the heartbreaking sorrow of Shiva. Vishnu came near Shiva and embraced his beloved mate and comforted him. Shiva gave permission to continue yaga. Daksha was absolved by Shiva and the head of the Ram(Male goat) meant for yaga was fixed on the decapitated body of Daksha and gave his life back. The yaga or yagnjam was completed successfully.
Shiva was so distressed and could not part away from his beloved wife. He took the dead body of Sati and wandered around the land. The parts of Sati’s dead body fell on the places Shiva wandered. These places commemorating each body part came to be known as The Shakti peethas. There are 51 Shakti peethas, representing the 51 alphabets of Sanskrit.
Shiva went to isolation and solitude for ages and wandered all around until Sati devi took birth as Shri Parvati as the daughter of the King Himavana.
Parvati took penance and gave away all her royal privileges and went to forest She then came to be known as ‘‘Aparna’’ the one without sustenance.
Shiva tested her affection and devotion in disguise and even persuaded her to go away by telling downbeat impression about Shiva, but Parvati’s contemplation towards Shiva was so strong, Shiva himself could not deter her.
He eventually realized Parvati is Uma or Sati herself. Shiva later on married Shri Parvati as Sundareshwara.
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