Siva Cursed

Chapter 2

Hearing that Sati, the daughter of Daksa and Prasuti, had dramatically terminated her own life, Vidura requested an elaboration. Maitreya thus narrated the incident over several chapters.

Once, a great sacrifice was organised by the leaders of universal creation, namely Marici, Daksa and Vasistha. When Daksa entered the arena, everyone stood up in respect except Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. Brahma, who was his father, did offer a welcome, but Daksa was aghast that Siva had completely neglected to acknowledge him. Misunderstanding Siva’s yogic trance as intentional disrespect, Daksa hurled arrows of insults and criticised his son-in-law’s character, lifestyle and habits. He cursed Siva to lose his share of the sacrificial oblations and angrily returned home.

Outraged by Daksa’s behaviour, Nandisvara, one of Siva’s associates, issued three curses in retaliation. He declared that those who side with Daksa will lose their transcendental knowledge, that Daksa will receive the head of a goat, and that hereditary brahmanas, who practise religion simply out of ritual, will perpetually return to this material world.

Infuriated by Nandisvara’s words, Bhrgu, a supporter of Daksa, counter-cursed the followers of Siva to be diverted from Vedic principles and become atheistic in their outlook. Witnessing this angry exchange of curses, Siva left the sacrificial arena in disgust, wanting to avoid any further unrest. Despite the absence of Siva and Daksa, the thousand-year sacrifice continued to conclusion.