A progenitor proud of ritual rank who insulted Shiva in open assembly, lost his daughter Sati, and was restored with a goat's head.
Appears in
Daksha's insult and Sati's yogic fire — Skandha 4, adhyayas 2-4 — Offended that his son-in-law Shiva did not stand for him, Daksha holds a grand sacrifice without him, and Sati answers with fire.
Virabhadra's wrath and the goat-headed sacrifice — Skandha 4, adhyayas 5-7 — From a lock of Shiva's matted hair springs Virabhadra to wreck Daksha's hall — until Brahma begs mercy and Shiva restores the rite.
Embodies
Pride humbled — Brahma, Indra and the sage Durvasa each try to measure the Lord, and each one ends up on his knees asking pardon.
Questions to explore
Why did Daksha take offence when Shiva did not stand for him at the sacrifice of the Prajapatis?
Why was Daksha given the head of a sacrificial goat when Shiva restored his life?
What does Daksha's prayer after his restoration say about ritual without devotion?
