The Greatest Offense – Envious of Lord Śiva
The pastime of the sacrifice performed by Dakṣa serves as a stern warning against the danger of vaiṣṇava-aparādha (offenses against devotees). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Dakṣa, the chief of the Prajāpatis, became the "embodiment of envy" due to his excessive pride. His target was Lord Śiva, the most exalted devotee of the Lord. This envy blinded Dakṣa to such an extent that he publicly blasphemed Śiva, who is actually the friend and well-wisher of all living entities. This article examines the root cause of Dakṣa's envy, the faultless character of Lord Śiva, and the severe spiritual consequences of such malice.
Embodiment of Envy
Pride is the precursor to envy. Although Dakṣa was given the exalted post of the chief of the progenitors, this material success puffed him up. When Lord Śiva, who was in meditation, did not stand up to honor him, Dakṣa took it as a personal insult. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Dakṣa was aware of Śiva's spotless character but could not distinguish his own envy. This envy led him to exclude Śiva from the sacrificial arena, an act that ultimately led to his own downfall.
- Daksa was the embodiment of envy, for he unnecessarily blasphemed a great personality, Lord Siva.
- Although he was envious and was inimical towards Lord Siva, Daksa was appointed the chief of all Prajapatis. That was the cause of his excessive pride.
- He (Daksa) was in complete knowledge that he was speaking against Lord Siva in spite of Siva's spotless character. As far as envy is concerned, from the very beginning he was envious of Lord Siva; he could not distinguish his own particular envy.
Faultless Character of Lord Śiva
To envy Lord Śiva is particularly egregious because he is ajāta-śatru—one who has no enemies. Satī, the chaste wife of Śiva and daughter of Dakṣa, pointed out that her husband is the most beloved of all living entities. He has no rival, and he is equal to everyone. Therefore, only a person as polluted as Dakṣa could find cause to be envious of him. Other sages present at the sacrifice were dependent on Dakṣa, yet they did not share his envious mentality, proving that the fault lay entirely within Dakṣa’s heart.
- The blessed goddess said: Lord Siva is the most beloved of all living entities. He has no rival. No one is very dear to him, and no one is his enemy. No one but you could be envious of such a universal being, who is free from all enmity.
- His order is never neglected. Lord Śiva is always pure, and no one but you (Daksa) envies him.
- Other sages and learned brahmanas were present, but they were not envious of Lord Siva, although they were all dependent on Daksa. Therefore no one but Daksa could be envious of Lord Siva. That was the accusation of Sati.
The Greatest Offense
Satī accused her father of committing the "greatest offense." Envy of a pure devotee is suicidal for one's spiritual life. The very name of Lord Śiva, consisting of the syllables śi and va, is auspicious and purifying. By blaspheming such a personality, Dakṣa revealed his own degradation. Satī realized that it was useless to maintain a relationship with a father who was so envious of the greatest Vaiṣṇava, and she decided to give up the body she had received from him.
- Sati continued: My dear father, you are committing the greatest offense by envying Lord Siva, whose very name, consisting of two syllables, si and va, purifies one of all sinful activities.
- You are envious of Lord Siva, who is the friend of all living entities within the three worlds.
- He is equal to everyone; no one is his enemy, and no one is his friend, but one who is envious by nature can become the enemy of Lord Siva. Therefore Sati accused her father (Daksa) : No one but you could be envious of Lord Siva or be his enemy.
Cure for Envy
The story of Dakṣa also offers hope. Although his heart was "polluted by envy," it was eventually cleansed. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when Dakṣa finally saw Lord Śiva with a "little love and devotion," his purification was immediate. This confirms that while envy is a powerful contaminant, the association and favor of a pure devotee are even more powerful agents of purification. However, those who remain envious, attracted by the flowery promises of Vedic rituals without understanding the goal, remain attached to fruitive activities and miss the essence of spiritual life.
- King Daksa was polluted by envy of Lord Siva, and yet by seeing him with a little love and devotion, his heart immediately became cleansed.
- May those who are envious of Lord Siva, being attracted by the flowery language of the enchanting Vedic promises, and who have thus become dull, always remain attached to fruitive activities.
- The real reason for the enmity between Lord Siva and Daksa is explained here (in SB 4.3.21). Daksa was envious of Lord Siva because of Siva's high position as an incarnation of a quality of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Conclusion
The tragic conflict between Dakṣa and Lord Śiva illustrates the destructive power of envy when directed against the Lord's representatives. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions clarify that material opulence, high birth, or administrative position are no qualifications for understanding the Truth if one is infected with envy. Lord Śiva stands as the universal friend, and envy of him is an act of self-destruction. The only remedy is to cast aside this polluting mentality and offer genuine respect to the Vaiṣṇavas, thereby cleansing the heart and opening the door to spiritual advancement.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Envious of Siva. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.