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Cultivate humility

CHENNAI : Power and pelf have a way of bringing about the downfall of a person unless he learns not to be swayed by them. Hence it is essential for one who climbs the social ladder to learn to be humble about his achievements as it is very easy to become proud which can wreck his position. When an individual becomes puffed up with pride he will commit misdeeds by losing his power of discrimination. Daksha's life is a case in point.

In his discourse, Sengalipuram Sri B. Damodara Dikshitar said Daksha, son of the creator Brahma, out of haughtiness pronounced a curse on his son-in-law, Lord Siva, when He did not acknowledge his presence when he came to a sacrifice conducted by his father. When Daksha arrived all the deities assembled there at the hall, excepting his father Brahma and Siva who was already there, rose as a mark of respect to greet him.

Duly honoured by the priests and after bowing to his father, Daksha took his seat and grew indignant when he did not receive any attention from Siva. His anger getting the better of him he derided Him before the august assembly without pausing to consider the fact that He was his son-in-law (Sati's husband). Through all this Siva remained calm. Daksha left in a huff after pronouncing that Siva would in future not receive His share of offerings in sacrifices. Siva's attendant Nandi and Sage Bhrigu joined in the altercation and the sacred atmosphere became vitiated into lasting enmity between the father-in-law and the son-in-law.

After Brahma installed Daksha as the lord of all created beings, he performed a sacrifice to which he did not invite Siva and Sati. Sati heard about it from others and naturally wished to participate in the festivities at Her father's house and sought Her husband's permission. When He advised Her against going saying, "The pride of the arrogant is heightened and their mind perverted by learning, austerity, opulence, a charming personality, youth and pedigree... " she ignored His advice. Humiliated by Her father who refused to welcome Her, Sati immolated Herself. Siva became angry as a result of which Daksha and his sacrifice were destroyed.

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