5. Daksha Yagnam (Devotional)

      As told in Birth of Gods And Demons, Daksha got married to Prasuti and got 1000 sons and 50 daughters out of which thirteen daughters were married to Kashyap from whose family line extended to gods and demons. Daksha's younger daughter named Sathi Devi also called Dhakshayani was incarnation of Shakthi herself. She is a great devotee of Lord Shiva, and decides to have him as her husband. She does penance to attain her object. Shiva comes into her presence as an old Brahmin and tries to dissuade her from her intention of marrying Shiva, but when he finds that Sathi is very serious and will marry no one else, he discloses his identity. Even Daksha agreed for their marriage.

      Soon Daksha became Prajapati (Ruler of all) which made him arrogant. Some of other daughters of Daksha were married to Chandra (The Moon). They are being called Tharakas (Starts) from then. Chandra was overly favored one daughter (Rohini) over the others, thus neglecting their needs and flouting his responsibilities. They told their father about this. While Daksha trying to explain Chandra about this, they both got situation out of control. Finally Daksha got angry and cursed his son-in-law to wither and die. Chandra started loosing his glory day by day. Sage Narada felt bad after looking at his situation and advised him to pray Lord Shiva. Chandra went to Shiva and pleaded to save him. Shiva gave him boon by asking him to stay in Kailasha (Place of Shiva) where no bad thing can happen. Daksha came to know that Shiva gave abhayam (promise to save) to Chandra which brings contradictory to his curse. Daksa got furious and started quarreling with Shiva about this. Lord Vishnu approached them to settle the quarrel and finally Vishnu duplicated Chandra into two forms and advised one Chandra to stay near Shiva as his boon to Chandra and another Chandra to periodically wither day by day as cursed by Daksha. From then Daksha was angry on Shiva and refused to give his daughter to him.

      Daksha arranged a swayamwara to Sathi who was unwilling to marry anyone else other than Shiva. Knowing this, Shiva took her with him and married with out Daksha's permission which made Daksha's enmity grow even more. After some time the vain Daksha performed a great Yagna (With the sole aim of insulting Shiva), to which he invited all gods except Shiva. Sathi came to know about this and requested Shiva to take her to the Yagna which was declined by Shiva saying that its not good to attend uninvited function. Sathi couldn't control her emotions and against Shiva's wishes, she attended the Yagna. Daksha didn't care about Sathi's presence and finally insulted before every one presented. Sathi couldn't bare this and immolated herself. Shiva as enraged after knowing this and started his Pralaya Thandava (Dance which is capable of causing end of the world). He took some strands of his hair and threw them on ground from which furious Veerabhadra took form. Shiva commanded Veerabhadra to destroy Daksha Yagna.

     Veerabhadra came to the place where Yagna is performing and started destroying every thing. He cut Daksha's head and threw in fire. All gods including Lord Brahma came to Shiva and pleaded to save Daksha. Finally Shiva was in peace and revived Daksha but with a goat head as Daksha's head was burnt in fire. From then Daksha's pride was gone and started praying Shiva. Later Sathi Devi took life as Parvathi and got married to Lord Shiva again. Check Lalithopakyanam for that story.