Veerabhadra and Badrakali destroyed everything present in the sacrifice.

As Veerabhadra tried to behead Daksha, some power stopped him to even hurt the skin of Daksha. He saw the sacrificial fire and a sword near it. He understood that it was Daksha's head that will satisfy the sacrificial fire which will extinguish the fire of revenge.

He immediately dragged Daksha towards the fire, took the sword, chanted Vedic hymns, and immediately severed his head which fell into the fire as an offering. 

All the disciples of Siva danced in joy. They returned to Kailasha after creating havoc. 

All Devas and Sages sat devastated. Lord Brahma said, "O Great ones, you all failed to understand the power of Lord Siva. His anger can burn the whole creation of mine. We should all beg for his pardon by falling on his lotus feet."

All went to Kailash immediately. They climbed the mountain which was evergreen. There was a banyan tree which was very long.  

"They saw  Lord Siva situated in his perfection as the master of the senses, knowledge, fruitive activities, and the path of achieving perfection. He was the friend of the entire world, and by virtue of his full affection for everyone, he was very auspicious. He was seated on a deerskin and was practicing all forms of austerity. Because his body was smeared with ashes, he looked like an evening cloud. On his hair was the sign of a half-moon, a symbolic representation. All the devas fell at the feet of Lord Siva."

-Srimad Bhagavatham Canto 6

Lord Brahma said, "O Lord Siva, You are the controller of this Universe. You are the manifestation of Supreme Brahman. My dear Lord Siva, you are a shareholder of a portion of this sacrifice, and you are the giver of the result. Please, Take your share and show mercy on Daksha, Brighu, and others who are badly hurt. O Mahadeva, Let the injuries of Devas and Priests get healed under the grace of you."

Lord Siva said, "O Lord, I never care about the insults of these low intelligent people. My mind is always fixed on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I have punished them only in order to right them. Daksha will have the head of Goat since his head has become ashes. I shall bless those people who are ready to respect me."

Sage Brighu invited Lord Siva to the sacrifice. He was deeply respected and the sacrifice was offered. Pleased by them, Lord Siva decided to relieve them from their pains.

Lord Siva immediately took the form of a physician. He started healing the wounds of Devas. He joined the head of Goat to Daksha which was meant to be sacrificed. 

Hence, from that day, Lord Siva is known as Vaidyanath or the Lord of Physicians. 

Daksha who got life back realized his mistake and he was cleansed by the touch of Lord Siva. He fell at the feet of Siva and cried for the disappearance of Sati.

Lord Siva, remembering about Sati started to cry. He saw the burnt corpse of Sati. He took the corpse and left the palace leaving the devas and sages feel very guilty.

Lord Siva wandered without peace with Sati's corpse in his hands. Lord Brahma seeing this immediately prayed to Lord Vishnu, "O Narayana, Appear before your servant. Please do something to erase Lord Siva's grief."

The lotus-eyed Hari appeared. He blessed Brahma who bowed before him. The Lord immediately with his Sudarshan chakra cut the corpses of Sati into 51 parts which fell at different parts of the earth. Lord Siva shouted, "Dear Sati!!!"

Lord Siva wiped off his tears. He decided to get back into deep penance to get detached back. Hence Lord Siva sat under the banyan tree and started meditating.

Meanwhile, in the hut of Sage Kashyapa, another dilemma took place. As we know, Sage Kashyapa had 13 wives who were the daughters of Daksha. He begot the Devas like Indra and Surya through Aditi. He begot Apsaras through his wife Muni. He begot fury faced animals and marine beings through Krodavasha as she was short-tempered. He begot two classes of Nagas through Kadru and Surasa (Lord of Nagas).

 Seeing the happiness and luxuries of Devas, Diti, the other wife became extremely jealous.

She desired for sex and begot sons to grab their luxuries. She went to the sage who was offering prayers to Narayana during the time of sunset. 

"Oh sage, I am deeply desired to have sons through you. Kindly bless me by fulfilling my desire".

"O Diti, you became blind by the lust. Everything should happen at an auspicious time. This is not the auspicious time because at this time the horrible-looking ghosts are moving here and there, dear lady. I shall satisfy your sex desire immediately for the sake of begetting children. But you must wait for only a few hours.

But Diti overcame by lust, caught hold of the cloth of the sage, like a shameless prostitute. He was forced to have sex with her as there was no other option. After it, the Sage left in anger to the river and bathed for purification. 
Diti angered by the act of Sage asked, "O Sage why are you ashamed by this act which normally occurs between a husband and wife?"

"O Polluted lady, I already warned you. But there is no chance to change the events back and you have to repay for it."

"You will give birth to demons who will create havoc to the world and will always be defeated and killed by the Devas." Diti was devastated as her plan went upside down.

TO BE CONTINUED...

(Published on 8th July 2020, Wednesday)
||Om Namah Sivayah||

(Image source: Google and TV shows)

[Next 2 Episodes will be published this Friday]