The Story of Brahmand

Forgiveness for Daksh

The yajna halls were silent, cool breeze blowing through them. Where earlier they were full of pomp and splendour, bedecked with great jewels and flowers, now, they looked as if mourning. Cries and lamentation rang about, loudest being that of Prastuti, Queen of Daksh. She had lost her youngest daughter due to her husband's arrogance, but now, even her husband was dead. Brutally killed in front of her eyes. Her tear ridden eyes silently beseeched the assembled devas to help. She just wanted to understand why she was being punished. She repeatedly prayed to Lord Shiva to forgive her husbands transgressions and revive him.

On the other hand Lord Brahma and Narayana were worried. They knew Daksh had done wrong, but they were afraid about the effect his death would have on earth. He had been one of the best Prajapatis. He helped in spread of Shastras, Vedas and Law. He helped in deciding modes of worship. He was the Order in the Chaos of the Universe. Moreover the yagna was being done to bring peace and prosperity to the universe. Leaving it unfulfilled was inauspicious. They decided to plead before Lord Shiva to revive Daksh. So they went to Kailash where Shiva was grieving was for his wife. After multiple entrities Shiva agreed and came to the yajnastahli.He took the head of the sacrificial goat and attached it to Daksha's body. Then he revived Daksh using his mrutsanjeevani vidya. 

Humbled Daksh said " I was arrogant about my knowledge, my position in life due to which I caused my own daughter's death. I hated Lord Shiva. However, just before my death I prayed to him to save me. The beheading and loss of my original head was a just punishment for my crimes. I had forgotten that the tridevs were the ones who gave me my position. This head of the goat, symbolises the faithfulness a person should have to their god. Just like a goat I will work while believing in the tridev. I will provide food to the people and remove rubbish from the society. I will atone for my sins"

Shiva silently acknowledged Daksha's words. Unable to stay any longer he took Sati's body and left, his eyes never straying from her. The yajna was then completed in an awkard atmosphere. The gods left after giving their blessings for the yajna.