The Fire Sati Kindles Within
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 64
Doha 64 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Sati addresses the sages and every member of the assembly. Those who speak or willingly receive slander against Shankara will meet the fruit of that act, and Daksha himself will awaken to bitter regret. When saints, Shambhu, or Vishnu are reviled, one must refuse participation, stop the speech if one has rightful power, or close the ears and leave.
She names Mahesh as the soul and father of the universe, benefactor of all. Her own father has turned against that sacred Reality, and this body came from Daksha's line. She will no longer carry it.
Holding the moon crowned, bull bannered Shiva within her heart, Sati enters yogic fire. The flame arises from the discipline of her own being and consumes the body born in Daksha's house. A cry passes through the entire sacrifice. Ritual order breaks beneath the consequence it had refused to see.
Sati fixes her heart upon Shiva, and the fire of the yajna is eclipsed by the fire within.
Read the passage from the Manas
सुनहु सभासद सकल मुनिंदा। कही सुनी जिन्ह संकर निंदा।। सो फलु तुरत लहब सब काहूँ। भली भाँति पछिताब पिताहूँ।। संत संभु श्रीपति अपबादा। सुनिअ जहाँ तहँ असि मरजादा।। काटिअ तासु जीभ जो बसाई। श्रवन मूदि न त चलिअ पराई।। जगदातमा महेसु पुरारी। जगत जनक सब के हितकारी।। पिता मंदमति निंदत तेही। दच्छ सुक्र संभव यह देही।। तजिहउँ तुरत देह तेहि हेतू। उर धरि चंद्रमौलि बृषकेतू।। अस कहि जोग अगिनि तनु जारा। भयउ सकल मख हाहाकारा।।
Hear me, all you assembled sages and great munis. Those who have spoken or listened to slander against Shankara shall reap its fruit at once, every one of you. You will bitterly repent hereafter.