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Daksha

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in Hindu mythology, is a powerful uncreated spirit, sprung from Brahma's thumb, and therefore one of the ten rulers of all beings. He had no son, but fifty daughters by his wife Prassudi, the daughter of Suayambhu. These daughters were given away in marriage that they might bear him sons. Twenty-seven of the same were given to Chiandra, the god of the moon; thirteen to Kasyapa, Brahma's grandson; seven to Darma, the god of justice and benevolence; of the remaining three, Akni received one, Werotren another, and the last and most beautiful, Shakti, was given to Siva. The ten rulers, of whom Daksha was one, gave a great feast once, to which all the gods were invited. When Daksha entered the gods all arose out of respect to him, save Siva, who remained seated. Daksha then insulted him, without Siva saying anything. Some time thereafter Daksha invited all the gods to another festival, but overlooked Siva and his wife Shakti. Although Siva sought to persuade her not to go, Shakti went to the festival, and was treated with insult. She then said she would lay aside the body she received from Daksha, and take on another. This took place, and she was born as Parwadi; but Siva, in anger over his loss, tore a hair from his head, out of which there came a giant, who cut off Daksha's head, set his house on fire, and burned his head up with it. The gods prayed Siva's forgiveness, which was granted. But as Daksha's head did not exist, he placed a goat's head in its stead.