[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.413 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.413 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.413 - **Language:** English ### [c5.413](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.413) The story is reproduced in the Purānas with many embellishments. Daksha instituted a sacrifice to \*Vishnu\*, and many of the gods repaired to it, but \*Siva\* was not invited, because the gods had conspired to deprive him of sacrificial offerings. The wife of \*Siva\*, the mountain goddess Umā, perceived what was going on. Umā was a second birth of Satī, daughter of Daksha, who had deprived herself of life in consequence of her father’s quarrel with herself and her husband, \*Siva\*. Umā urged her husband to display his power and assert his rights. So he created Vīra-bhadra, “a being like the fire of fate,” and of most terrific appearance and powers. He also sent with him hundreds and thousands of powerful demigods whom he called into existence. A terrible catastrophe followed; “the mountains tottered, the earth shook, the winds roared, and the depths of the sea were disturbed.” The sacrifice is broken up, and, in the words of Wilson, “Indra is knocked down and trampled on, Yama has his staff broken, Saraswatī and the Mātris have their noses cut off, Mitra or Bhaga has his eyes pulled out, Pūshan has his teeth knocked down his throat, Chandra (the moon) is pummelled, Vahni’s (fire’s) hands are cut off, Bhrigu loses his beard, the Brāhmans are pelted with stones, the Prajāpatis are beaten, and the gods and demigods are run through with swords or stuck with arrows.” Daksha then, in great terror, propitiated the wrathful deity and acknowledged his supremacy. According to some versions, Daksha himself was decapitated and his head thrown into the fire. \*Siva\* subsequently restored him and the other dead to life, and as Daksha’s head could not be found, it was replaced by that of a goat or ram. The Hari-vansa, in its glorification of Vishnu, gives a different finish to the story. The sacrifice was destroyed and the gods fled in dismay, till Vishnu intervened, and seizing Siva by the throat, compelled him to desist and acknowledge his master. - [Previous: c5.412](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.412) - [Next: c5.414](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.414) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (2) - [Harivaṃśa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.harivamsa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Purāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.413](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.413) · Pramāṇa