[Advaita-l] Stories from the Shiva Purana - 9 (Aftermath of Daksha’s Sacrifice - Not Rituals, but Knowledge leads to Liberation)

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Continued from the previous post. Daksha finally acknowledges Shiva as the Supreme, and the Equivalence of the Trinity:
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226060.html
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226062.html
https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226063.html
Section 2.2, Chapters 40-43)
 
 
Accompanied by the gods, sages, Brahma and others, Vishnu went to Kailasa, the auspicious excellent mountainous abode of Shiva. Lord Shiva had the Divine form
liked by the sages. He shone with the ashes smeared over His body. On seeing Shiva like this, Vishnu and other devas humbly bowed to Him immediately after
joining their palms. Vishnu, the lord of Lakshmi, along with Brahma craved Shiva’s forgiveness by prostrating on the ground.
 
Lord Shiva said, “The destruction of the sacrifice of Daksha was not done by Me. If a person hates another, ultimately it recoils on him alone. No action that
involves the affliction of others will be indulged in by Me at any time. If anyone hates another it will recoil on him alone. Let the head (the sacrificial head)
of Daksha be that of a goat. Let the god Bhaga receive his share in the sacrifice in conjunction with the sun. O dear ones, the god Pushan who used to grip the
cooked offerings in a sacrifice with his teeth has been rendered broken-toothed and will remain as such. I have spoken the truth. Bhrigu who opposed Me shall
become goat-bearded. The gods who tried to uproot Me shall have their physical bodies. Let the Adhvaryu priests be borne through the arms of Ashvins and the
hands of Pushan. I have spoken thus out of love for you.”
 
Virabhadra, hastened to bring the headless body of Daksha which he threw in front of Shiva. At the bidding of Shiva, they immediately joined the head of the
sacrificial animal, the goat, with the body of Daksha. When the head was joined and Shiva looked at it, Daksha regained his life and awoke as if from sleep.
Then after regaining composure and peace of mind, the ashamed Daksha bowed and eulogised Shiva, the benefactor of the worlds.
 
Daksha said, “I bow to the Great Lord, the Supreme Being, the Bestower of boons, the Store of Knowledge, the eternal. I bow to Shiva, the Lord of the chief of Gods,
always conferring happiness and the Sole Kinsman of the universe. I bow to the Lord of the universe, of Cosmic form, the Primordial Being and the form of Brahman
itself. I bow to Shiva, the Conceiver of world’s happiness and the Greater than the greatest. O Lord, Lord of Devas, be merciful. Obeisance to thee. O Shiva,
the Storehouse of mercy, forgive my faults.”
 
Lord Shiva said, “O Daksha, listen. I shall explain. O patriarch, I am delighted. Although I am independent Lord of all, I am subservient to My devotees always.
Four kinds of meritorious persons worship me always. O patriarch Daksha, the latter are greater than the former. They are — the distressed, the inquisitive,
the fortune-seeker and the wise. The first three are ordinary and the fourth one is an extraordinary person. The wise among these four is a great favourite of Mine.
He is of My own form. None is dearer to Me than the wise. It is the truth. I tell you the truth. I am the knower of Self. I can be known through knowledge by
those who have mastered Vedanta and the Vedas. Deluded men engrossed in rituals alone cannot attain Me through the Vedas, sacrifices, gifts or austerities.
You wished to cross the ocean of worldly existence by observance of rituals alone. That was why I became angry and caused the destruction of the sacrifice.
Hereafter, O Daksha, thinking upon Me as the Great Lord and giving more importance to knowledge, you carry on rituals with care and attention. The base man who
differentiates the Deities of the Trinity certainly stays in hell as long as the moon and the stars shine. Without devotion to Brahma, one cannot have the devotion
to Vishnu; without devotion to Vishnu, none will have devotion towards Me.”
 
On hearing these pleasing words of Lord Shiva, the devas, sages and others were greatly delighted. With great joy, Daksha, his family and the gods realised
Shiva as the Lord of all and was engrossed in devotion to Shiva. Lord Shiva who was delighted in mind granted boons to all, as He received reverence to
His Great Self. Permitted by Shiva and with His Blessings, Daksha the devotee of Shiva, with a delighted heart completed his sacrifice. He allotted the
full share to Shiva and gave the gods their respective shares. He gave charitable gifts to the Brahmins and secured the good Blessings of Shiva.
 
Lovingly honoured by Daksha, the Great Lord Shiva, the Goal of the good, returned to Kailasa along with His Ganas. He was greatly delighted. After forsaking her
body thus, Sati, the daughter of Daksha, was born as the daughter of Mena, the wife of Himavat. This is well known.
 
He who reads or teaches this auspicious narrative will attain salvation on death after enjoying all worldly pleasures.
 
 
(To be Continued)