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Daksha

Daksha, also known as Dakṣa, is a figure in Hindu mythology commonly described as a Prajapati and king who presides over rituals, progeny, and social order. In many traditions, he is regarded as a son of Brahma and the husband of Prasuti, and together they are said to have numerous daughters, including Sati, the first wife of Shiva. The name Daksha is often associated with wisdom and ritual knowledge, and the figure embodies the authority of cosmic beginnings and rites.

The most famous narrative involving Daksha centers on the Daksha Yajna, a grand sacrifice he hosts but

Etymology and cultural role: the name Daksha is derived from Sanskrit, commonly interpreted as “able” or “skilled,”

excludes
Shiva,
Sati’s
husband,
from
the
rites.
Sati,
devoted
to
Shiva,
attends
anyway;
when
Daksha
insults
Shiva,
Sati
self-immolates
in
protest.
Enraged,
Shiva
destroys
the
yajna
and
disperses
his
followers.
In
many
versions,
Daksha
is
later
restored
to
life,
or
his
head
is
replaced
with
that
of
a
goat,
as
part
of
reconciliation
with
Shiva.
The
episode
is
a
foundational
tale
in
Shaivism
and
Shaktism,
illustrating
themes
of
devotion,
pride,
female
agency,
and
the
consequences
of
disrespecting
the
divine.
reflecting
his
status
as
a
skilled
ritualist
and
organizer
of
sacrifices.
The
character
of
Daksha
appears
across
various
Puranic
lists
and
temple
legends,
and
the
Daksha
Yajna
narrative
has
influenced
Hindu
art,
literature,
and
iconography
related
to
Shiva
and
Sati.