THE SELF-IMMOLATION OF GODDESS SATI

When Sati reached the arena, because all the people assembled were afraid of Daksa, none of them received her well. She saw that there were no oblations for her husband, Lord Siva. Next she realized that not only had her father failed to invite Lord Siva, but when he saw Lord Siva's exalted wife, Daksa did not receive her either. Thus she became greatly angry, so much so that she looked at her father as if she were going to burn him with her eyes.

The blessed goddess said: "Lord Siva is the most beloved of all living entities. He has no rival. No one but you could be envious of such a universal being, who is free from all enmity. I shall no longer bear this unworthy body, which has been received from you, who have blasphemed Lord Siva. If someone has taken food which is poisonous, the best treatment is to vomit. You are an offender at the lotus feet of Lord Siva, and unfortunately I have a body produced from yours."

While thus speaking to her father in the arena of sacrifice. Sati sat down on the ground and faced north. Dressed in saffron garments, she sanctified herself with water and closed her eyes to absorb herself in the process of mystic yoga. Thus, in order to give up her body, which had been so respectfully and affectionately seated on the lap of Lord Siva, who is worshiped by great sages and saints, Sati, due to anger towards her father, began to meditate on the fiery air within the body. Safi concentrated all her meditation on the holy lotus feet of her husband, Lord Siva, who is the supreme spiritual master of all the worlds. Thus she became completely cleansed of all taints of sin and quit her body in a blazing fire by meditation on the fiery elements.