All those who had been invited and consulted for the great sacrifice had been shown due respect, yet the beloved lord of Sati had not arrived. Sati, seeing this, felt the entire assembly empty without her husband’s presence. She turned to her father Dakṣa and spoke with sorrow, “It seems, indeed, that you did not invite my husband. Surely, you must have forgotten him. Tell me, please, the reason for this.” Pulastya narrated: Hearing his daughter’s words, Dakṣa, the lord of creatures, saw her deep affection for her husband—greater even than for her own life. Moved, he placed the virtuous and devoted Sati upon his lap. With a deep and gentle voice, he spoke to her, “Listen, my child, to the truth of why your husband was not invited today. “He holds a skull-bowl and wears a hide; his body is covered in sacred ash. He bears a trident, is shaven-headed and naked, and delights always in the cremation grounds, constantly rubbing his body with ash. He is clad in tiger skin and adorned with elephant hide, a garland of skulls upon his head, and a club in his hand. At his waist is cow sinew, and he wears a bone ring; the king of serpents, Vāsuki, is his sacred thread. “Assuming this fearsome form, he wanders the earth. His attendants are naked, Piśācas, and multitudes of spirits. He is three-eyed and ever delights in song and dance. Your husband’s ways are strange—how could he be present among the gods? His appearance would only bring shame upon me. For these reasons, dear child, and from embarrassment before the worlds, I did not invite him. But after the sacrifice is complete, I will perform worship with you and then bring your husband, the three-eyed one, here with you. I will honor him more than all the three worlds, with proper respect. This, my daughter, is the reason for my embarrassment. “Do not be angry. Everyone receives their share according to destiny. Whatever good or bad deeds were done in a previous birth, their fruit is experienced in this one. Do not be distressed; accept what has come from before. Prosperity, beauty, charm, splendid ornaments, noble family, excellent birth, and a beautiful form—all these are gained by people of good conduct through previous merit, O virtuous one. “Do not blame yourself; fortunes come as they are destined. Who can give what is allotted by fate? No one is truly strong, foolish, or wise in themselves; wisdom and strength arise from past actions. The gods have attained heaven and shine there for long ages through merit and asceticism in sacred places. Whatever merit they earned, they now enjoy its fruits.” Hearing her father’s words, Sati, her eyes red with anger and blaming him, replied, “So it is, father, just as you have said. Through merit, one attains prosperity; through merit, one obtains birth and enjoyments. Therefore, the Lord of the worlds, the highest of all, has wisely assigned these stations to all beings. “Even the tongue of Brahma cannot declare the virtues of that god, the supreme lord, nor can it proclaim his glory. Ashes, bones, skulls, the cremation ground, and serpents—these he has made his ornaments. Spirits, ghosts, Piśācas, and Guhyakas are his companions—yet he is the creator, the arranger, and the protector of the directions. “By the grace of Rudra, Indra attained heaven. If Rudra is a god, if Śiva is all-pervading, then, by the truth of this, may Śaṃkara destroy your sacrifice—if I possess any austerity or have performed any righteous acts. By the fruit of my righteousness, may your sacrifice not deserve destruction—if I am dear to the Lord, if He will save me. By that truth, may your pride come to an end.” Having spoken these words, Sati entered into deep yogic concentration, blazing with the energy of her own inner fire. In that moment, she burned herself up, along with the assembled gods, asuras, and serpents. The hosts of Gandharvas and Guhyakas, witnessing this, cried out in confusion, “What is this?” Her body, released in anger, fell upon the western bank of the sacred Gaṅgā, and that holy place came to be known as Saunaka. When Rudra heard of Sati’s destruction, deep grief seized him. In the presence of the gods, he became resolute to destroy the sacrifice. He commanded a host of countless Gaṇas, along with the Grahas, Vināyakas, spirits, ghosts, and Piśācas, to go forth and lay waste to Dakṣa’s sacrifice. When they arrived, all the divine beings present were defeated and the sacrifice was ruined. Dakṣa, dispirited and powerless, approached the god of gods, Pinākin, trembling. He spoke with humility, “I did not know you, O Lord, sovereign of the gods. You are the supreme Lord of this world; all the gods have been conquered by you. Have mercy, O great Lord, and call off your hosts.” Thus, the tale of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, Sati’s devotion, and Śiva’s righteous wrath unfolded, teaching all the worlds the fruits of merit, the power of love, and the consequences of pride.