Sati's Birth and Childhood

Brahma said

Meanwhile, learning how you had acted, I was delighted and came quickly. As before I comforted Daksha and, using discrimination, drew his love toward you; I comforted you too, my son loved by the gods, and went home. Comforted by me, Daksha had sixty fortunate daughters by his wife and married them with care to Dharma and others. Listen. He gave ten to Dharma, thirteen to the sage Kashyapa and twenty-seven to the moon; two each to Bhrigu, Angiras and Krishashva; the rest to Tarkshya. Their offspring filled the three worlds. I hesitate to describe it all in detail.

Some say Shivaa was the eldest daughter, some the middle, some the youngest; all three are right in different kalpas. When the daughters were born, Daksha and his wife joyfully meditated on the mother of the universe, praising her in loving words with a faltering voice, bowing again and again with joined hands. Devi was pleased and thought: "To keep my promise I will take an avatara through Virini." She told Daksha so, and he shone. At an auspicious hour Daksha happily placed his seed in his wife, and Shivaa, full of compassion, began to dwell in her mind. Signs of pregnancy appeared. Virini grew more radiant and glad, and through Shivaa's power within her showed many auspicious signs. In accordance with lineage, prosperity and the shruti, Daksha performed with a high mind the rites, pumsavana and the rest, with great festivities, and gave riches to brahmanas as they desired. Hari and the gods learned that Virini had conceived, came, and praised the mother of the universe, bowing again and again to the one who secures the welfare of the worlds. Pleased, they praised Daksha and Virini in many ways and went home. Nine months passed with the customary rites. In the tenth month Shivaa appeared before her mother at a blissful muhurta, with moon, planets and stars favourable. Daksha was filled with joy at once; seeing her great energy he thought this was Devi herself. Flowers rained from above and clouds dropped water. The directions turned serene at her birth; gods gathered in the sky and played auspicious instruments; the fires burned calm. Everything was auspicious.

Seeing that the mother of the universe was born of Virini, Daksha joined his hands, bowed, and praised her.

Daksha said

Maheshani, I bow to you. Jagadamba, eternal Mahadevi, true one, whose form is truth, show me your compassion. Shivaa, serene Mahamaya, Yoganidra, pervader of the universe, bringer of all that is auspicious, those who know the Vedas speak of you and I bow to you. You engaged Vidhatri in creating the universe, and he does it always; I bow to the supreme Maheshvari. You engaged Vishnu in preserving it, and he does it always; I bow to her. You engaged Rudra in destroying it, and he does it always; I bow to her. Sattva, rajas and tamas are your forms and you do everything. You are Devi, mother of the three divinities. Shivaa, I bow to you. There are those who think of you in their atmans as both vidya and avidya, and objects of pleasure and emancipation are always in their palms. Those who directly see you, the purifier, are certain to be freed. You manifest vidya and avidya. Those who praise you as Bhavani, Ambika, Jaganmayi and Durga obtain everything.

Brahma said

Praised thus, Shivaa spoke to Daksha so that her mother could not hear; she confounded everyone else so that only Daksha heard. "Prajapati, you worshipped me earlier to get me as a daughter. Your wish is now fulfilled. Continue your austerities." Then Devi, through her own maya, took the form of an infant crying beside her mother. The women heard her weeping and came excitedly, and the servant maids arrived with love and respect. Seeing Asikni's daughter, all the women rejoiced; the townspeople cried "Victory"; there was singing, instruments and great festivity. Daksha and Asikni were filled with joy at their daughter's auspicious face. By the norms of his lineage and the shruti Daksha performed all the rites, gave gifts to brahmanas and wealth to others, and there was singing and dancing everywhere. Hari and the other gods with companions and many sages came to share the festivities. They saw Daksha's daughter, Parameshvari, mother of the universe, bowed low and praised her in auspicious hymns, cried "Victory", and especially praised Daksha and Virini. On their advice Daksha named her Uma. Because she had sattva and the other gunas she was praised, and he was delighted. Later the worlds knew her by other names too, which bring all that is auspicious and in particular destroy miseries. Daksha bowed with joined hands to Hari, to me and to all the immortals and sages, praising and worshipping us with devotion, and Vishnu and the rest praised him in turn. Remembering Shiva and Shivaa, they went happily home.

Her mother purified the girl in the proper way and fed her as infants are fed. Daksha and Virini reared her. She grew like the moon's digits in the bright fortnight. Even as a child all pure and virtuous qualities entered her, as all agreeable digits enter the moon. Among her friends she followed her own sentiments and conduct. She would often draw images of Bharga. As a child Shivaa sang excellent songs, always remembering Sthanu, Hara, Rudra, the chastiser of Smara. Her parents saw her compassion grow daily, and even in childhood she was repeatedly filled with devotion. She had every quality and lit her household, and she brought her parents constant satisfaction.