DAKSHAYAGAM STORY

Daksha is the son of Brahma and he and his wife Vedavalli go to river Yamuna to have a bath. Vedavalli notices a conch shell in a lotus leaf. At her request Daksha takes it, and it at once turns into a beautiful baby girl. They bring up the baby as their own daughter. Sathi grows up to be a very beautiful princess. She is a great devotee of Siva, and decides to have him as her husband. She does penance to attain her object. Siva comes into her presence as an old Brahmin and tries to dissuade her from her intention of marrying Siva, but when he finds that Sathi is very serious and will marry no one else, he discloses his identity. Daksha when he comes to know of this is really unwilling to give his daughter in marriage to Siva, but finally consents to the marriage, and the wedding takes place in the presence of Indra. After the marriage, Siva leaves for Kailas, and Sathi is deeply distressed at his quick departure. She again does penance, and Siva appears and takes her to Kailas without seeking the permission of Daksha. It is in this background that the story opens.                                                                     

Scene: 1 – Daksha and Indra

Daksha is deeply hurt at his daughter being so unceremoniously taken away without his consent and complains to Indra. He speaks about Siva in abusive terms with deep resentment. However Indra warns Daksha that he should not speak in disrespectful terms about Siva and should not displease him in ay way.

Scene: 2 – Nandikeswara and Daksha

As suggested by Indra, Daksha goes to Kailas to meet Siva. On reaching kailas, Nandikeswara who is at the gate does not permit Daksha to go in. and meet Siva. Greatly offended Daksha returns.

Scene: 3 – Daksha and Datheechi

Daksha has planned to conduct a great yaga, and asks Datheechi to take part in the yaga. Learning that Siva is not being invited he says that he will not attend. He advises Daksha to invite Siva, as he is a Divine God, and no yaga can be conducted without his presence. He departs without taking part in the yaga.

Scene: 4 – Sathi and Siva

Coming to know of the yaga, Sathi wants to attend it. Siva warns Sathi that she should not attend it, and that she is likely to be insulted. Despite this warning Sathi goes to the yaga.

Scene: 5 – Sathi and Daksha

Sathi goes to the yaga. Daksha on seeing her abuses her in no uncertain terms and asks her to leave. He does not heed her plaintive requests and asks her to leave. Sathi warns Daksha that for this insult he will be punished by Siva. She departs.

Scene: 6 – Sathi and Siva

Sathi returns and tells Siva of the great insult she had to undergo and all that had happened. She tells Siva that Daksha is not her father any more, and that Daksha has to be punished.

Scene: 7 – Siva, Veerabhadran and Bhadrakali

Siva creates two powerful destructive spirits, Veerabhadran and Bhadrakali and orders them to go and obstruct the yaga and destroy Daksha.

Scene: 8 – Veerabhadran, Bhadrakali, Daksha and Pooja Brahmana

Veerabhadran and Bhadrakali enter the yagasala and destroy every thing there. Daksha tries to protect everything and is unable to do anything. Finally Veerabhadran beheads Daksha.

Scene: 9 – Daksha and Siva

Indra and the Rishis implore Siva to forgive Daksha, so that the yaga could be completed and destruction of the world avoided. Siva relents and as Daksha’s head had been destroyed, a goats head is placed on Daksha and he is restored to life. Daksha repents and prays to Siva for pardon.