Sati's Words

Brahma said

Dakshayani came to the place where gods, asuras and the chiefs among sages were eagerly carrying on the radiant sacrifice. She saw her father's splendid, beautiful house, full of rare things and crowded with gods and rishis. At the gate Devi got down from Nandi and went quickly inside to the sacrificial ground. Seeing that Sati had come, her illustrious mother Asikni and her sisters received her with affection, as was proper. But Daksha, seeing her, showed not the least affection, and, confounded by Shiva's maya and out of fear, none of the others did either. Surprised at everyone's behaviour, Devi Sati bowed to her father and mother. In that sacrifice she saw the shares of the gods, Hari and others. But no share had been set for Shambhu, and Sati was filled with unbearable rage. In fierce, total anger she glared at Daksha and at all who had caused this dishonour, as though to burn them.

Sati said

How is it that auspicious Shambhu has not been invited? He purifies the whole universe and all that moves and stands in it. He is the sacrifice itself, the best of those who know sacrifice; he is a part of the sacrifice, its dakshina and its performer. How can there be a sacrifice without Shambhu? The moment he is remembered everything is sanctified, and anything done without him is not. All the materials used, the havya and kavya, are full of him. How could a sacrifice be done without Shambhu? Did you want to slight Shiva, taking him for an ordinary god? Worst of fathers, your understanding has become confused. Vishnu, Brahma and the other gods serve Maheshvara and gained their own positions through that. You do not know Hara. Since Shambhu, their own lord, is not here, how have Vishnu, Brahma and the other gods and the sages come to your sacrifice?

Brahma said

Having said this, Parameshani, who holds Bhava in her atman, spoke separately to Vishnu and the others, rebuking them.

Sati said

Vishnu, do you not know the truth of Mahadeva? The shrutis speak of his saguna and nirguna forms. Many times Maheshvara has held out his hand to help you; in the past, for your sake, he instructed many, Shalva first among them. Evil-minded one, even so your mind has not been filled with knowledge. With Shiva your own lord absent, you want a share in Daksha's sacrifice. Brahma, you once had five faces and were insolent, and Sadashiva cut you down to four. Have you forgotten that so soon? Indra, do you not know Mahadeva's valour? Hara ruthlessly reduced your thunderbolt to ashes. Gods, do you not know it? Atri, Vasishtha and the other sages, what have you done? Once the lord was roaming in Daruvana begging alms, and you sages cursed Rudra in that mendicant form. Have you forgotten what Rudra did when you cursed him? His lingam burned the whole universe, moving and unmoving. All of you, Vishnu, Brahma, the gods and the sages, have been seized by folly and have come to a sacrifice without Shambhu. Even with everything gathered in the Vedas, Vedangas, the words of the texts and Vedanta, one cannot gain full understanding of Shambhu.

Brahma said

With a shattered heart Sati, mother of the universe, said many such angry words. Hearing them the minds of Vishnu and all the gods and sages were shaken and afraid, and they stayed silent.

Daksha, though, heard his daughter. He glared at Sati and answered in anger: "Why say so much? There is nothing for you to do here. Go or stay. Fortunate one, why did you come? The learned know your husband Shiva to be inauspicious, without lineage, outside the Vedas, king of bhutas, pretas and pishachas. Knowing this, daughter, I did not invite Rudra of the wicked dress to this sacrifice and this gathering of gods, rishis and the learned. At Vidhatri's urging I gave you to this evil and wicked man. Rudra is evil-souled and haughty and does not know the true meaning of anything. Sweet-smiling one, put aside your anger and be calm. You have come to this sacrifice, so take what is given to you." So Daksha spoke to his daughter Sati, whom the three worlds worship. Seeing her father so full of contempt, she became extremely angry. She wondered how she could return to Shankara: "I long to see Shankara, but if he asks me, what will I say?" Full of anger, Sati, who gives birth to the three worlds, sighed and answered her father, evil-minded Daksha.

Sati said

Those who criticise Mahadeva, and those who listen to such criticism, go to hell and stay there as long as moon and sun last. So I will give up my body and enter the fire. Father, having heard my lord insulted, what is the use of staying alive? If a person has the power to cut out the tongue of one who utters intolerable criticism of Shambhu, he is purified, no doubt. If he lacks the power, a learned and supreme person should cover his ears and leave, and he will be purified. That is the best way to avoid hell. You will repent having criticised Shambhu; you will suffer great hardships in this world and pain afterward. The paramatman is dear, and there is no one in the world he does not love. Who but you could hate Sharva and be his adversary? Yet it is no surprise that the jealous indulge in such criticism. The great dust of his feet destroys tamas and makes everything auspicious. If men say the two syllables of Shiva's name even once, in any connection, all their sins are quickly destroyed. His deeds are sacred and unblemished, yet you hate Shiva. Shambhu is Sarveshvara and his command cannot be crossed. Alas, you are crooked. Like bees, the mind seeks out his lotus feet, which are full of the essence of the brahman and give everything; tended lovingly, they yield all. All the noble in the world serve Shiva lovingly at once. Foolish one, you hate him and will suffer endless bonds. He is called auspicious. Besides you, have Brahma, Sanaka and other learned sages thought Shiva inauspicious? He wears matted hair, lives in cremation grounds and holds a skull, with ashes for ornament. Knowing it, those of pervasive understanding love him, touch his feet affectionately and place that dust on their heads. The sages know these are the ornaments of Parameshvara Shiva. The Vedas speak of two kinds of rites, pravritti and nivritti, and the learned reflect on these two kinds of conduct, which are contrary and cannot both be followed at once. But Shambhu is the supreme brahman and these rites do not touch him at all. Let us never follow in my father's footsteps or do as he does. The smoke trails rising from your sacrificial pavilion are not the path of supreme liberation. The unmanifest lingam is always served by avadhutas. Father of wicked understanding, you should show no pride. Why say more? You are wicked, with every kind of evil intelligence. I have no further need of a body that came from you. Shame on such a futile life, begotten by a crooked man; a learned person must especially avoid association with such a one. Bhagavan Vrishadhvaja has said you gave me your gotra, so my name has abruptly become Dakshayani, and my mind is greatly distressed over it. So I will give up this body born of you. It stinks and is always contemptible. I will give it up now and gain what brings happiness. Gods and sages, all of you listen. Evil in mind, you have committed an act that is evil in every way. You are all fools, addicted to criticising Shiva and quarrelling with him. Hara will certainly punish and restrain all of you.

Brahma said

In that sacrifice Sati said these words to Daksha and the others. In her mind she remembered Shambhu, whom she loved more than her own life.