The Mythological Story of Dakshina

The Mythological Story of Dakshina

In one realm, the gods were performing a yajna. But their wishes were not being fulfilled. Finally, growing despondent, they worshipped Shri Krishna. Krishna appeared before them and said, "The gods of the yajna are incomplete without your power. First I must set one thing right. Only then will you receive the desired fruit of your yajnas."

And on one sacred full-moon night, Krishna answered Sushila's prayer and asked her to manifest from the body of Shri Lakshmi. Krishna performed the divine Raslila with Sushila and asked her to marry Yajnadev, who was Krishna's own incarnate form. Sushila could not refuse eternal union with one of Krishna's own forms. She agreed at once.

Then Krishna, looking upon her with affectionate eyes, said, "You have manifested from the left shoulder (vaam anga) of Shri Lakshmi, so you shall be known by the name 'Dakshina.' No yajna shall be considered complete until a human being expresses gratitude toward the priests who guided him to a state of pure consciousness. And those who are miserly in giving dakshina, their karmic fruits shall be handed over to King Bali, who dwells in the netherworld."

Priests now say, "Yajnas can also be simple and performed daily. Welcome a guest wholeheartedly. Conduct any transaction, without any ill will, with a pure heart. Every action of yours is itself a yajna. Whether you accept it or not — whatever you do, there is always some intention behind it. You may not expect a material result. But at the very least, you certainly expect God's grace, His blessing, or the strength to face life's circumstances. But remember — the fruit of your yajna, that is, the fruit of your karma, is never in your hands. Only the action itself is in your hands. So always give your best there. Everything else will unfold in its own time."

Having said this, the priests begin the yajna. With mathematical precision, using geometric proportions, they construct the altar (vedi). The shape, form, and structure of the altar depend on the purpose of the yajna and on which specific deity is to be pleased. Then they chant the appropriate Vedic mantras, perform the rituals to invoke and worship that deity, and make every effort in their power to help attain what is desired.

Dakshina Shastra (The Doctrine of Dakshina)

Yajnasya patnīṁ dakṣiṇāṁ sarvatra pūjitām, yasyā vinā ca viśveṣu sarvaṁ karma ca niṣphalam.

(Brahmavaivarta Purana, Prakriti Khanda, 1.63) [1]

Meaning: Dakshina, the goddess worshipped everywhere, is the wife of Yajnapurusha (the deity of the yajna). Without her, all (religious and sacrificial) acts performed anywhere in this universe become fruitless.

To reinforce this essential connection between yajna and dakshina, this verse from the Manusmriti is frequently cited in Dharmashastra texts and ritual practice, which fully supports this principle found in the Brahmavaivarta Purana:

Dakṣiṇāhīno yajñastu na tasya phalado bhavet, tasmād yajñādi karmāṇi sa-dakṣiṇāṇi kārayet.

(Manusmriti, 3.106) [1]

Meaning: A yajna performed without dakshina never bears fruit. Therefore, all yajna and other great acts should always be performed together with proper dakshina.

According to this mythological framework, the yajna is considered the "husband," dakshina the "wife," and the karmic fruit born from them their "son." This is why, in the Sanatan tradition, no puja or ritual is considered complete without dakshina.