Through many reads and stories, we know that there are a great population of devotees to lord Shiva. He is said to be the prime and powerful god in Hinduism. Lord Shiva is an integral part of the holy trinity with lord Brahma and Vishnu. He has proved his power through many stories and actions that we have read through the epic mythologies.
Being considered the god of destruction, lord Shiva is an irreplaceable deity in the Hindu tapestry who stands for justice and defeats evil. You might be aware of goddess Parvati being his consort and their stories. But many don't discuss the story of lord Shiva and Sati. Do you know who is Sati? The blog will help you learn some valuable facts about how lord Shiva is related to Sati.
Who is Sati?
Sati is said to be the daughter of King Daksha and is believed to be an immense devotee of lord Shiva. She is known for her unwavering love toward lord Shiva despite her father’s denial. Due to her devotion and love, she became the first wife of lord Shiva and lived with him in the mountains.
Even though her story with lord Shiva ended tragically, she is memorized for her unflattering compassion, love, devotion and sacrifices. She symbolizes the cycle of death and rebirth.
What is the Story of Shiva and Sati?
As said before, Sati is the daughter of an influential king Daksha. At the same time, lord Shiva is said to be the god of immense and deep meditation who is known for his detachment from worldly affairs. It is stated that Sati was attracted to and fell in love with the lord Shiva due to his spiritual aura, contrasting nature, uniqueness and more.
Being admired for the uniqueness of lord Shiva, Sati stood against her father’s will to get united with lord Shiva. She got married to lord Shiva and started living her life in the mountains.
Once, King Daksha conducted a grant celebration of Yagna, a spiritual sacrifice. But he didn't invite lord Shiva intentionally, which humiliated Sati. Being hurt by her father’s actions, she visited him and attended the Yagna despite lord Shiva’s word. But, while visiting the Yagna, King Daksha didn't fail to insult and humiliate lord Shiva. Witnessing her father disrespecting her husband made her helpless. The unwillingness to tolerate the contempt made her forward to sacrifice her life in a fire.
Knowing Sati’s sacrifice, lord Shiva was flooded with immense anger made him perform the dance of destruction called Tandava. It is a cosmic dance, a warning or threat to the universe. To save the world from the disaster, lord Vishnu scattered Sita’s remains into different parts of the world. So, the place where her remains are, believed to have fallen is called Shakti Peethas. Lord Shiva was depressed and was in deep mourning. It made the gods allow her to be reborn as Parvati.
Why did Lord Shiva marry Sati?
From childhood, Sati was impressed by the tales of lord Shiva, which made her an ardent devotee. In her womanhood, she stood against her father’s will to marry anyone else. It made lord Brahma intend the marriage of lord Shiva and Sati to make Shiva involved in world affairs. According to Hindu mythologies, she sacrificed her luxurious life with her father to live the rest of her life with lord Shiva with unwavering worship and adoration.
She never failed in the tests of lord Shiva and his followers, impressed him and granted her wish. She married him happily and moved to Kailash.
Are Parvati and Sati the Same?
It is believed, that Sati is the first wife of lord Shiva. But, due to her life sacrifice for the disrespect of her father towards lord Shiva, the gods decided to enable a rebirth for her. That’s why Sati was incarnated as the goddess Parvati. She is said to be the daughter of Himavan, the mountain king and the queen Mena. Based on epic mythologies, Parvati is depicted as a calm, gentle, and nurturing mother. Even though she is calm and compassionate, people also believe the existence of her other fearsome side such as Durga, Kali, and more.
What are the Teachings from Shiva and Sati's Story?
Here are some teachings that devotees learn from their stories.
Love
Undoubtfully, from childhood Sati’s devotion and love towards lord Shiva till her womanhood and beyond was unflattering. It teaches us the importance of love, dedication and compassion in a relationship.
Inner Strength
Sati’s self-sacrifice when her father insulted her husband depicts her inner strength and immense devotion towards lord Shiva that made her take a step of sacrifice with immense strength.
Transcendence
Lord Shiva being depression followed by the sudden death of Sati and later her rebirth into Parvati depicts the cyclic nature of birth, rebirth and death.
Lord Shiva, the Powerful Deity to Worship
It is one of the brilliant stories of lord Shiva. Being considered compassionate and an epitome of righteousness, lord Shiva is a profound lesson of various aspects such as love, compassion and devotion. Knowing the actions and stories, there is no change in the honor and respect given to lord Shiva. Many devotees place lord Shiva’s idol in their houses not only for praying but also for aesthetic appearance.
