In time, Daksha Prajapati undertook a great sacrifice attended by gods, sages, and progenitors. What should have been an occasion of sacred rejoicing had already been overshadowed by discord, for Daksha no longer regarded Mahadeva with honour.

The events that followed would become one of the most solemn episodes remembered in the sacred scriptures.

Daksha's Growing Displeasure

Some time earlier, Daksha Prajapati had entered an assembly of sages and gods. Seeing him approach, those present rose from their seats in respect. Only Brahma, his father, and Mahadeva remained seated.

Daksha became angry and spoke harshly before the assembled sages. Though Mahadeva had accepted Sati Devi as his wife and had shown no hostility towards anyone, Daksha criticized his appearance, conduct, and manner of life. He further declared that Mahadeva should no longer receive a share in sacrificial offerings.

Mahadeva remained silent throughout these words.

Nandishvara's Curse

Unable to bear the insult directed towards his lord, Nandishvara became enraged and pronounced a curse upon Daksha and the brahmanas who silently approved of Shiva being insulted. He declared that Daksha, who hated Mahadeva despite his freedom from enmity towards all beings, had turned away from truth and become attached to householder life and ritual acts performed for low pleasures. Confused by the praise-filled portions of the Vedas and identifying the body with the self, Daksha would become like an animal and would in time obtain the head of a goat. Nandishvara further proclaimed that Daksha and those who supported him would become attached to sacrificial rites, captivated by the enticing promises of the Vedas, and continue wandering through the cycle of birth and death.

Bhrigu's Curse

Bhrigu Rishi, hearing Nandishvara's words, became displeased and pronounced a curse upon the followers of Mahadeva. He declared that those who undertook vows in honour of Mahadeva would turn away from the Vedic path and be regarded as opponents of sacred tradition. Wearing matted hair, bones, and ashes, they would adopt practices looked upon with disapproval by orthodox society and would even regard wine as sacred in their observances. Bhrigu further proclaimed that the Vedic path, followed by the ancients and upheld by Vishnu, was the eternal and auspicious way for mankind.

Though saddened, Mahadeva remained silent throughout the exchange and took no part in the curses from either side.

Sati Devi's Desire to Visit Her Father's House

Years later, Daksha commenced a great sacrifice known as the Brihaspatisava. Wives of gods and sages journeyed towards the sacrificial grounds accompanied by their husbands, adorned with ornaments and festive garments.

While dwelling with Mahadeva, Sati Devi beheld them travelling through the sky and understood that they were proceeding towards her father's sacrifice.

She remembered her sisters, who would surely be present with their husbands. Thoughts of her mother, relatives, and the home in which she had spent her childhood years arose within her heart.

Approaching Mahadeva, she spoke with affection.

Verse: kathaṃ sutāyāḥ pitṛgehakautukaṃ niśamya dehaḥ suravarya neṅgate । anāhutā apyabhiyanti sauhṛdaṃ bharturgurordehakṛtaśca ketanam ॥ 13 ॥

Translation: "O foremost among the gods, how can the heart of a daughter remain unmoved upon hearing of festivities in her father's house? Even without invitation, people visit the dwellings of friends, husbands, teachers, and parents."(Bhagavata Purana 4.3.13) 

Sati Devi expressed her wish to visit the sacrifice. She desired to see her mother, her sisters, and the relatives whom she had not met for a long time. She also wished to witness the sacrifice performed by her father.

She then requested Mahadeva to fulfil her desire, reminding him that he had graciously accepted her as one half of his own being.

Hearing these words from his beloved wife, Mahadeva smiled gently. Remembering the harsh speech that Daksha had uttered in the assembly of progenitors, he replied with affection.

Verse: tvayoditaṃ śobhanameva śobhane anāhutā apyabhiyanti bandhuṣu । te yadyanutpāditadoṣadṛṣṭayo balīyasānātmyamadena manyunā ॥ 16 ॥

Translation: "O fair one, what you have spoken is indeed proper. People may visit their relatives even without invitation, provided those relatives are not overcome by pride, anger, or fault-finding born of self-conceit.

Verse : vidyātapovittavapurvayaḥkulaiḥ satāṃ guṇaiḥ ṣaḍbhirasattametaraiḥ । smṛtau hatāyāṃ bhṛtamānadurdṛśaḥ stabdhā na paśyanti hi dhāma bhūyasām ॥ 17 ॥

Translation: Learning, austerity, wealth, beauty, youth, and noble birth are virtues among the righteous. Yet those whose understanding has been obscured by arrogance fail to recognize the greatness of exalted souls." (Bhagavata Purana 4.3.16–17)

Mahadeva then explained that harsh words spoken by one's own people cause deeper pain than weapons discharged by enemies.

Verse: tathāribhirna vyathate śilīmukhaiḥ śete'rditāṅgo hṛdayena dūyatā । svānāṃ yathā vakradhiyāṃ duruktibhiḥ divāniśaṃ tapyati marmatāḍitaḥ ॥ 19 ॥

Translation: " A person whose body has been wounded by an enemy's arrows may still find rest. But one struck by the harsh words of his own people, whose minds have become crooked, suffers day and night as though pierced in a vital place." (Bhagavata Purana 4.3.19)

Remembering Daksha's earlier words, Mahadeva gently advised Sati Devi not to attend the sacrifice.

Sati Devi Departs

Sati Devi listened to Mahadeva's words, yet her longing to see her mother and sisters remained strong. Unable to abandon her desire completely, she resolved to visit her father's sacrifice.

Accompanied by attendants of Mahadeva, she departed upon Nandi. Her companions followed carrying parasols, fans, mirrors, garlands, and other articles befitting her dignity. The attendants of Mahadeva accompanied her with reverence as she journeyed towards Daksha Prajapati's abode. Her heart was filled with thoughts of her mother, her sisters, and the familiar dwelling where she had spent her early years. She had not yet witnessed what awaited her at Daksha's sacrifice.

Note to Readers

This account principally follows the Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 4, Chapters 2 and 3. Only a small number of representative verses have been quoted, while the remaining events are narrated in prose based upon the surrounding passages of the sacred text. Since the Bhagavata Purana survives in several manuscript traditions and editions, minor variations in wording and chapter numbering may occasionally occur. Corrections and suggestions from learned readers are gratefully welcomed.