Sati's Ultimate Sacrifice

The Story of Shiva and Sati

Sati was the daughter of Daksha, a powerful king. She married Shiva against her father's wishes, as Daksha disapproved of Shiva's ascetic lifestyle. Daksha organized a grand yagna (sacrifice) but did not invite Shiva and Sati. Feeling insulted, Sati attended the yagna uninvited.

Daksha publicly insulted Shiva, which Sati could not bear. Unable to tolerate the disrespect towards her husband, she immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. Upon learning of Sati's death, Shiva was overcome with grief and rage. He destroyed Daksha's yagna and beheaded Daksha, later restoring him to life with a goat's head.

Shiva then carried Sati's body across the universe, causing chaos. To restore order, Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to dismember Sati's body into 51 pieces, which fell at different locations, becoming sacred sites known as Shakti Peethas. This story highlights the power of devotion and the consequences of disrespect.