Sati’s Desire, Decision, Downfall and Death

Chapter 3, 4

Strained relationships between the two individuals continued, but Brahma nevertheless appointed Daksa as the chief progenitor (prajapati). Intoxicated by pride, Daksa performed a series of elaborate sacrifices attended by many eminent personalities, but purposely neglected to invite or acknowledge Siva.

On one occasion, Daksa’s daughter, Sati, developed a desire to attend the sacrifice. She approached her husband, Siva, who discouraged her from attending, foreseeing that Daksa would be neglectful and inimical due to her connection with him. He repeatedly warned Sati not to go, and predicted that if she did, the ramifications would be severe. Though confused and unsure, Sati decided to attend anyway.

At the sacrificial arena, out of fear of Daksa, nobody welcomed Sati except her mother and sisters. Seeing that her father had ignored Siva in the setup of the sacrifice (no oblations were offered to him) and had not even welcomed her, she became furious. Siva’s followers were ready to kill Daksa, but Sati restrained them. Instead, she criticised Daksa for his pride and enmity, and scolded him for disrespecting Siva, who even Brahma offers obeisances to. After considering the three recourses for one who hears blasphemy, she opted to terminate her life. Thus, through the process of sat-cakra-yoga, Sati departed the world. Aggrieved to see this, Siva’s followers immediately prepared to kill Daksa, but seeing the danger, Bhrgu Muni invoked the demigods to drive them away.