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{{main|'''Daksha Yaga'''}}
{{main|'''Daksha Yaga'''}}


Daksha Yaga was an important turning point in the creation and development of sects in Hinduism like [[Shaktism]] and [[Shaivism]]. It is the mythology behind the 'Stala Purana' (Origin Mythology of Temples) of [[Shakti Peethas]] around South Asia. There are 51 Shakti Peethas. The story made Shree [[Parvathi]] in the place of [[Sati (goddess)Sati Devi]] and lead to the mythology of Ganesha and Subrahmanya.
From then on, he distanced himself from his daughter, [[Dakshayani]]/[[Sati (goddess)|Sati]], and his son-in-law, [[Shiva]]. This enmity culminated in a great [[Yajna|sacrifice]] he had been hosting, later on known as the [[Daksha Yaga]], one to which he invited all and sundry, family and allies, gods and rishis, courtiers and subjects. Consciously excluding Sati from the list, he also set up a statue of Shiva, which he defiled and mocked, at the entrance to his hall. Sati, ebullient at the thought of such a great event, and assuming that the daughter of the king was welcome no matter what, attended the festival. Snubbed by her father and treated with disdain, Sati nonetheless maintained her composure. Indeed, even her father's refusal to invite Shiva, her husband and thus a traditionally honored member of any Hindu family, was to some extent borne.


[[Image:Dakshayani.jpg|right|thumb|300px| [[Shiva]] carrying the corpse of his consort दाक्षायनि (सती) [[Dakshayani]] ([[Dakshayani|Sati]]).]]
[[Image:Dakshayani.jpg|right|thumb|300px| [[Shiva]] carrying the corpse of his consort दाक्षायनि (सती) [[Dakshayani]] ([[Dakshayani|Sati]]).]]
Daksha organised a huge yaga and intentionally avoided Shiva and Sati. Even though discouraged by Shiva, who told her the reasons for not going, for not going to a function she and her husband was uninvited; the personal bondage with her parents overpowered the social etiquette manners she had to follow. Sati with out Shiva went to the ceremony. She was snubbed by Daksha and viciously harassed by him infront of the public. Sati unable to bear further insult ran into the Sacrificial fire and immolated herself. Shiva upon knowing the terrible incident in his wrath created Virabhadra. [[Virabhadra]] and[[Ganas|Bhoota ganas']] marched south and destroyed all the premises. Daksha was decapitated. The Bhutaganas' celebrated victory by plucking the 'Presiding Master' of the yagnja Sage [[Bhriju]]. Daksha was later forgiven and given life by fixing a Ram(male goat)'s head and the yagnja was allowed to complete. Shiva in his sorrow took the corpse of Sati and wantered , the places where Sati's body parts fell came to be known as [[Shakti Peethas]].

However, on seeing the shameless insult to her husband in his absence, and the repeated slights King Daksha and his courtiers railed at [[Shiva]], she committed suicide in grief for her beloved.She warned Daksha and others present to be prepared for the destruction that [[Mahadev]] would cause after her death .In order to explain Daksha what wrong he has done she even assumed the fierce form of Durga and told him that she was Adi-Shakti herself and the Prakriti or [[Nature]].[[Sati]] called Agni Dev or Yagna Agni to burn her body but Agni Dev said that his energy was because of Sati Since she was [[Adi-Shakti]] hence she committed suicide by invoking her Yogagni present inside her . Hearing the news, Shiva's attendants rushed inside the ceremony hall and started attacking all the guests present there, however, the demons invoked by [[Bhrigu]] defeated Shivas attendants and they retreated back to his abode. Upon hearing the news of his beloved wife's death, Shiva was furious that Daksha could so callously cause the harm of his (Daksha's) own daughter in so ignoble a manner. Shiva grabbed a lock of his matted hair and dashed it to the ground. From the two pieces rose the ferocious [[Virabhadra]] and the terrible [[Rudrakali]], while [[Bhadrakali]] arose from the wrath of [[Devi]] herself.<ref name=Maha>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12b111.htm the Horse-sacrifice of the Prajapati Daksha] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]] translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896), Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV. '''p. 317'''. “I am known by the name of [[Virabhadra]]’’ and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra. This lady (who is my companion), and who is called Bhadrakali, hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess.”</ref> Upon Shiva's orders they stormed the ceremony and killed Daksha as well as many of the guests. Terrified and with remorse the others propitiated Lord Shiva and begged his mercy to restore Daksha's life and to allow the sacrifice to be completed. Shiva, the all-merciful One, restored Daksha's life, with the head of a [[goat]]. In his humility, and repentance for his graceless and sinful acts, Daksha became one of Shiva's most devoted, attendants.
<ref name=Maha>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12b111.htm the Horse-sacrifice of the Prajapati Daksha] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]] translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896), Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV. '''p. 317'''. “I am known by the name of [[Virabhadra]]’’ and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra. This lady (who is my companion), and who is called Bhadrakali, hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess.”</ref>
<ref>http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/17/stories/2006061708850500.htm</ref> At Kottiyur, there are two temples - Sri Akkare Kottiyur Temple and Sri Ikkare Kottiyur

[[Sati (goddess)|Sati]]/[[Dakshayani]] later incarnated as [[Parvati]] in her next life, and remarried Shiva, henceforth never to part with him again. It is for this reason that Shiva, while monogamous, has had two wives in reality, but the same soul in two incarnations.

One place that associates with this [[Daksha Yaga]], according to its [[Sthala Purana]], is Kottiyur in a largely forested area of [[Kannur]] District, [[Kerala]].<ref>http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/17/stories/2006061708850500.htm</ref> At Kottiyur, there are two temples - Sri Akkare Kottiyur Temple and Sri Ikkare Kottiyur Temple, located on opposite banks of Bavali river. Sri Akkare Kottiyur Temple is open during the Kottiyoor Vaisakha Mahothsavam festival only.

Another place that claims to be the site of Daksha's Yagna is Shri Daksheshwar Temple, about 4 KM from Haridwar. There is a pit within the grounds of the temple which supposedly marks the exact location of the sacrificial fire.

Local legend has it that Draksharama was where the Daksha yagna was performed. It is one of the Pancharama sites and is located near Kakinada in East godavari district, AP.


==Other daughters==
==Other daughters==

Revision as of 09:30, 28 July 2013

For the island in Croatia, see Daksa (island).
Daksha
Devanagariदक्ष

According to Hindu legend, Daksha is one of the sons of Lord Brahma. Brahma after creating the 10 Manas Putras, created Daksha, Dharama, Kamadeva and Agni from his right thumb, chest, heart and eye-brows respectively.[1] Besides his noble birth, Daksa was a great king. Pictures show him as a rotund and obese man with a stocky body, protruding belly, and muscular with the head of an ibex-like creature with spiral horns.

Daughters of Daksha

According to Puranas, Daksha had 24 daughters from his wife Prasuti[2] and another 62 from his wife Panchajani (Virini).[3][4]

According to Vishnu Purana and Padma Purana, Daksha and his wife Prasuti had 24 daughters. The names of these 24 daughters are Sraddha (faith), Srilakshmi (prosperity), Dhriti (steadiness), Tushti (resignation), Pushti (thriving), Medha (intelligence), Kriya (action, devotion), Buddhika (intellect), Lajja (modesty), Vapu (body), Santi (expiation), Siddhika (perfection), Kirtti (fame), Khyati (celebrity), Sati (truth), Sambhuti (fitness), Smriti (memory), Priti (affection), Kshama (patience), Sannati (humility), Anasuya (lit. without jealousy), Urjja (energy), with Swaha (offering), and Swadha (oblation).[5]

Of these 13 married to Dharma are, Sraddha, Srilakshmi, Dhriti, Tushti, Pushti, Medha, Kriya, Buddhi, Lajja, Vapu, Santi, Siddhi, Kirtti. The other 11 are Khyati married to Bhrigu, Sati to Shiva(Bhava), Sambhuti to Marichi, Smriti to Angiras, Priti to Pulastya, Kshama to Pulaha), Sannati to Kratu, Anasuya to Atri, Arundhati to Vasishtha, Swaha to Agni, and Swadha to Pitris.[6]

According to Matsya Purana, Daksha and his wife Panchajani(daughter of Virani) had 62 daughters, not one of whom resembled their father. 10 of those daughters were married to Dharma, 13 to sage Kashyapa, 27 to Chandra, 4 to Arishtanemi, 1 to Kama, 1 to lord Shiva, 2 to sons of sage Bhrigu, 2 to sage Angiras, 2 to Krisasva.[4][7] According to Padma Purana, when Daksha felt the number of women are still not sufficient, he decided to have 60 more daughters.

Sati was the daughter married to Shiva(Bhava). The 10 daughter's married to Dharma are (1) Maruvati, (2) Vasu, (3) Jami (4) Lamba, (5) Bhanu, (6) Urjja, (7) Sankalp, (8) Mahurath, (9) Sadhya, and (10) Vishva.[4][8] The 13 daughter's married to sage Kashyapa are (1) Aditi, (2) Diti, (3) Danu (4)Arishta, (5) Sursa, (6)Surabhi, (7) Vinata, (8) Tamra, (9) Krodhvasha, (10) Ira, (11) Kadru, (12) Vishva, and (13) Muni.[9][10] The 1 daughter married to Kamadeva was Rati.

The 27 daughters married to Chandra are (1) Kṛttikā (the Pleiads), (2) Rohinī, (3) Mrigashīrsha, (4) Ārdrā, (5) Punarvasu, (6) purbabhadrapada, (7) Pushya, (8) Asleshā, (9) Maghā, (10) Svāti (Arcturus), (11) Chitrā (Spica), (12) Purbaphalguni, (13) Hasta, (14) Rādhas, (15) Vishākhā, (16) Anurādhā, (17) Jyeshthā, (18) Mūla, (19) purbashādha, (20)Uttarashara, (21) Sravana, (22) Uttarphalguni, (23) Satabhisha, (24) Uttarbhadrapada, (25) Revati, (26) Ashwini, (27) Bharani. These 27 wife of Chandra are 27 Nakshatras (the constellations) which are on the moon's orbit.

Daksha found that Soma overly favored one daughter (Rohini) over the others, thus neglecting their needs and flouting his responsibilities. For this, Daksha cursed him to wither and die. The daughters intervened and made his death periodic, symbolized by the waxing and waning of the moon.

Story of Sati and Shiva

Daksha is a Sanskrit word said to be a Prajapati or one of the Brahma's sons. The equivalent meaning in English is Competent. One of the daughter of Prajapati (often said to be the youngest) was Sati or Dakshayani, who had always wished to marry Shiva. Daksha forbade it, but she disobeyed him and did so anyway, finding in Shiva a doting and loving husband. Daksha disliked Shiva intensely, calling him a dirty, roaming ascetic and reviling the great yogi's cohort of goblins and ghouls.

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Daksha Yaga

Main article: '''Daksha Yaga'''

Daksha Yaga was an important turning point in the creation and development of sects in Hinduism like Shaktism and Shaivism. It is the mythology behind the 'Stala Purana' (Origin Mythology of Temples) of Shakti Peethas around South Asia. There are 51 Shakti Peethas. The story made Shree Parvathi in the place of Sati (goddess)Sati Devi and lead to the mythology of Ganesha and Subrahmanya.

Shiva carrying the corpse of his consort दाक्षायनि (सती) Dakshayani (Sati).

Daksha organised a huge yaga and intentionally avoided Shiva and Sati. Even though discouraged by Shiva, who told her the reasons for not going, for not going to a function she and her husband was uninvited; the personal bondage with her parents overpowered the social etiquette manners she had to follow. Sati with out Shiva went to the ceremony. She was snubbed by Daksha and viciously harassed by him infront of the public. Sati unable to bear further insult ran into the Sacrificial fire and immolated herself. Shiva upon knowing the terrible incident in his wrath created Virabhadra. Virabhadra andBhoota ganas' marched south and destroyed all the premises. Daksha was decapitated. The Bhutaganas' celebrated victory by plucking the 'Presiding Master' of the yagnja Sage Bhriju. Daksha was later forgiven and given life by fixing a Ram(male goat)'s head and the yagnja was allowed to complete. Shiva in his sorrow took the corpse of Sati and wantered , the places where Sati's body parts fell came to be known as Shakti Peethas. [11] [12] At Kottiyur, there are two temples - Sri Akkare Kottiyur Temple and Sri Ikkare Kottiyur

Other daughters

Some of Daksha's other daughters include Rohini, Revati, Bharani and Anuradha and other Nakshatras (Constellations), married Chandra. Another, Rati, married Kama. Another daughter, Danu, gave birth to the evil Danavas. According to the Monnier-Williams dictionary Samkalpa (initiative/volition) is mentioned as a daughter of Daksha. There is a theory identifying Samkalpa with Lubhyati, the Sanskrit name-word etymologically related to love and libido.

See also

References

  1. ^ The Matsya Puranam P-I (B.D. Basu) English Translation Ch #3, Page 10
  2. ^ Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana
  3. ^ Matsya Purana
  4. ^ a b c The Matsya Puranam P-I (B.D. Basu) English Translation Ch #5, Page 17
  5. ^ Vishnu Purana, Vol-I, H.H. Willson. Book-I,Ch-#7, Page 109
  6. ^ Vishnu Purana, Vol-I, H.H. Willson. Book-I,Ch-#7, Page 109-11
  7. ^ Matsya Purana (Sanskrit) Ch #5, Sloka 10-12
  8. ^ Matsya Purana (Sanskrit) Ch #5, Sloka 15-16
  9. ^ The Matsya Puranam P-I (B.D. Basu) English Translation Ch #5, Page 18
  10. ^ Matsya Purana (Sanskrit) Ch #6, Sloka 1-2
  11. ^ the Horse-sacrifice of the Prajapati Daksha The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883 -1896), Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV. p. 317. “I am known by the name of Virabhadra’’ and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra. This lady (who is my companion), and who is called Bhadrakali, hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess.”
  12. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/17/stories/2006061708850500.htm
  • Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola

External links

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