Shiv Puran Rudra Samhita, Sati Khanda: Sati, Shiva and Daksha's Yajna

The Sati Khanda is the story of Lord Shiva and his first wife Sati: a story of love, testing, insult and sacrifice. It shows how pride breaks families and how much respect matters in true love.

Kamadeva and Sandhya

After creation, Kamadeva and Sandhya were born of Brahma's mind. Kama received the boon that his arrows would enchant all, and tried his power on Brahma and the sages themselves. Shiva rebuked them. Brahma wished that Shiva too should one day be moved, and for that he needed a wife. On Vishnu's advice Brahma worshipped the goddess Shiva, the primal Shakti, who promised to be born as Daksha's daughter and become Shiva's wife.

Sati's birth and penance

The goddess was born as Sati to Prajapati Daksha and his wife Virini. From childhood Sati meditated on Shiva. Grown up, she observed the Nanda vow and severe penance to win him. Shiva appeared, pleased, and accepted her. Through Brahma's mediation Daksha agreed, and Sati and Shiva were married with great celebration in the month of Chaitra. Shiva took Sati to Kailash, where they lived happily for a long time.

Sati tests Shri Ram

Once Shiva and Sati were passing through Dandakaranya, where Shri Ram, separated from Sita, wandered from forest to forest crying "Ha Sita!". Shiva bowed to him from afar, saying "Victory to Sachchidananda". Sati wondered why Shiva bowed to one weeping for his wife like an ordinary man. Shiva explained that he was Vishnu's avatar, but her doubt remained. "Then test him yourself," said Shiva.

Sati took Sita's form and appeared before Shri Ram. He recognised her at once, bowed and asked, "Mother, why are you wandering alone in the forest? Where is Lord Shiva?" Sati returned ashamed. Shiva knew everything in meditation and resolved in his mind that he could no longer regard as his wife one who had taken the form of Mother Sita. He went into samadhi, and Sati lived in sorrow. (Tulsidas tells this episode at length in the Bala Kanda of the Ramcharitmanas.)

Daksha's hostility

At an assembly of sages and Prajapatis at Prayag, everyone rose when Daksha arrived except Brahma and Shiva. Daksha felt insulted that his son-in-law had not stood. He abused Shiva before everyone and cursed that Shiva would receive no share in sacrifices. Nandi angrily cursed Daksha and the Brahmins who supported him, and Bhrigu cursed Shiva's attendants. Shiva left the assembly in silence.

Daksha's yajna and Sati's sacrifice

Daksha held a great yajna at Kankhal near Haridwar and invited all the gods, sages and his other daughters, but not Shiva and Sati. Seeing the gods travelling through the sky, Sati wished to go to her father's yajna. Shiva explained that going uninvited would bring insult, but Sati insisted, and Shiva sent her with Nandi and his attendants.

At the yajna her father showed her no respect; only her mother and sisters were affectionate. Sati saw that no share had been set aside for Shiva. She reasoned with her father, but Daksha insulted Shiva further before everyone. Unable to bear her husband's insult, Sati said she would not keep the body she had received from Daksha. By yoga she kindled fire within her body and gave it up, praying that in her next birth too Shiva would be her husband.

Virabhadra and the destruction of the yajna

Hearing the news from Narada, Shiva was filled with terrible anger. He struck a lock of his matted hair on the mountain, and from it arose the mighty Virabhadra and the fearsome Mahakali. Virabhadra and Shiva's attendants reached the yajna and destroyed it. Gods and sages were punished, and Virabhadra cut off Daksha's head and threw it into the sacrificial fire.

Later Brahma and Vishnu went with all the gods to Kailash, praised Shiva and asked forgiveness. His anger calmed. He came to the site and restored Daksha to life with the head of a goat. Ashamed, Daksha praised Shiva, gave him his share, and the yajna was completed. Then Shiva, grieving for Sati, withdrew into meditation in the Himalayas.

What this section teaches

• Learn to trust before testing; a single test by Sati brought great sorrow.
• Pride breaks even the closest bonds; Daksha's arrogance brought grief to the whole family.
• Think before going uninvited where there is no respect.
• God is merciful even in anger: Shiva gave life back to Daksha, who had insulted him.