Once, Daksha decided to start a huge yagna. He called all the rishis that lived on the Earth and in other regions. He invited all of the devas and devis. He also invited Brahma, Vishnu, and their respective followers. He even invited supernatural beings such as Nagas, Gandharvas, and Vidyadharas. Kings, with their friends, ministers, and armies were also invited. But he did not call Shiva because of his recent enmity with him. A large mansion was built by Twastra for the accommodations. Vishnu presided over the yagna and Brahma was the guide for the Vedic rituals. Sage Dadichi, noticing the absence of Shiva, remarked, “Oh Daksha, why have you not called Shiva. He is crucial to any sacrifice. Go call Sati and Shiva right now.”

Daksha said, “I have invited Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. I have invited Brahma, the creator of the universe. I have called all of you. Who else is there to call. Shiva is an evil-minded man and is unworthy.”
“Your destruction is imminent, Daksha. A sacrifice without Shiva is a non-sacrifice,” said Dadichi. He then left the sacrifice, followed by a couple other followers of Shiva.
Suddenly, Sati showed up at the yagna. She was mad because Shiva and herself hadn’t been invited to her own father’s yagna. But Daksha did not even pay attention to her presence. She became furious and said, “How can all of you forget about Shiva. What is a sacrifice without Shiva’s presence? Do you...