_Sâti_ is the last daughter of Daksha. She was wedded to Śiva. We shall specially notice her in the succeeding chapter. THE QUARREL BETWEEN ŚIVA AND DAKSHA. *SKANDHA IV., CHAP. 2.* Of old the Prajâpaties performed a Yajna, and the Devas and Rishis all graced the occasion with their presence. Prajâpati Daksha entered the assembly, when all stood up to receive him, except Brahmâ and Śiva. Daksha saluted his father Brahmâ and with His permission took a seat. But he was so mortified by the conduct of Śiva that he could not contain himself, and indignantly broke forth thus: — "O you, Rishis, Devas and Agni! Witness this disgraceful conduct of Śiva my own son-in-law, rather my disciple. This senseless being would not do so much as rise up and receive me. He has no sense of respect and dis-respect, of purity and impurity. He is mindless of all injunctions and observances. Do you know, what he does? He roves like a mad man in the crematories, with his host of Bhûtas, Pretas and Pisâchas, sometimes laughing, sometimes weeping, his body covered over with the ashes of dead bodies, their bones serving for his ornaments. His name is Śiva (auspicious). But he is really A-Śiva (inauspicious). He is fond of intoxication, and his companions are the impure and senseless Bhûtas. Oh! that I have given my daughter Sâti in marriage to him. That was simply to obey the orders of Brahmâ." Śiva remained unmoved. Daksha went on abusing Him and at last he cursed Śiva saying "This vilest of Devas shall not participate in the sacrificial offerings to Indra, Upendra and others." He then left the place in a rage. Nandisvara, the chief companion of Śiva, could not bear the gross and wanton insult done to his master. He retorted in angry tones the unkind words of Daksha and the approbation of some of the councillors. "Śiva bears malice to none. It is Daksha who makes differences, where there are none. Ignorant people follow him and blame Śiva. The Vedas deal with transitory objects. Worldly attachments receive an impetus from the Karma Kânda of the Vedas and they beget vices and evil deeds. This Daksha looks upon the body as the soul. He shall be as fond of women as a beast and his face shall he that of an Ajâ (goat). Verily he deserves this, as he looks upon Avidyâ as Tatvavidyâ. He publicly insults Śiva. The Brâhmanas who follow him shall go through the repeated course of births and deaths and shall resort to the apparently pleasing Karma Kânda of the Vedas. These Brâhmanas shall have no scruples to eat anything and they shall make a profession of their learning, their Tapas and their austerities (Vrata). They shall consider their riches, their body and their Indriyas to be all in all. They shall beg about from door to door."