Legend of Sati narrates the tale of the marriage of Sati with Shiva and it also links itself to the chief of gods named Daksha. Long ago, there was a chief of the gods called Daksha. He married Prasuti, the daughter of Manu and she bore him sixteen daughters, of whom the youngest, Sati, became the wife of Shiva. This was an unpleasing according to her father, for he had a grudge against Shiva, not only for his disreputable habits, but because Shiva, upon the occasion of a festival to which he had been invited, did not offer homage to Daksha. For this reason Daksha pronounced a curse upon Shiva, that he should receive no portion of the offerings made to the gods. A Brahman of Shiva`s party, however, pronounced the contrary curse, that Daksha should waste his life in material pleasures and ceremonial observances and should have a face like a goat.

Sati, the daughter of Daksha, grew up and set her heart on Lord Shiva and worshipped him in secret. She became of marriageable age, and her father held a swayamvara, or own-choice, for her, and he invited gods and princes from far and near, except only Shiva. Then Sati was borne into the great assembly, wreath in hand. But Shiva was nowhere to be seen, amongst gods or men. Then in despair she cast her wreath into the air, calling upon Shiva to receive the garland; and Lord Shiva stood in the midst of the court with the wreath about his neck. Daksha had then no choice but to complete the marriage; and Shiva went away with Sati to his home in Kailas. This Kailas was far away beyond the white Himalayas, and there Shiva dwelt in royal state, worshipped by gods and rishis; but more often he spent his time wandering about the hill like a beggar, his body smeared with ashes and with Sati wearing ragged robes; sometimes also was also seen in the cremation grounds, surrounded by dancing imps and taking part in horrid rites.

One day Daksha made arrangements for a great horse sacrifice, and invited all the gods to come and share in the offerings, and did not invite Shiva alone. The chief offerings were to be made to Vishnu. Sati, wife Of Lord Shiva, observed the departure of the gods, as they set out to visit Daksha, and turning to her lord, she asked Shiva where the gods are going being led by Indra. Then Shiva told to Sati that Daksha had prepared for a horse sacrifice and the gods are being invited to attain it. She then enquired about Shiva`s not going to that great ceremony. Thus Shiva replied to Sati that it was planned among the gods that he had no part in any such offerings which are made at sacrifices. Sati became very angry and told to Shiva that; how could the one who lives in all beings, and who is unapproachable in glory and power, be not invited to a ceremony held by Daksha.

She then asked her lord to let her know what she could do for him so that Shiva gets the share of the offering made to gods in the sacrifices. Then Shiva smiled and told to Sati that those sacrificial offerings were of less importance to him and he gets the sacrifices when one chants the hymns of Samaveda. His priests were those who offer the oblation of true wisdom, where no officiating Brahmin was needed. Then Sati told to Shiva that it was very easy to make excuses before women and at last she asks for her permission to visit the horse sacrifice of Daksha. Shiva then enquired if she would visit without invitation and then Sati replied that in order to go to a father`s house no invitations were required. Thus Sati takes leave from Shiva and starts for her father`s home.

Sati went to her father`s house and there she saw indeed received, but without honour, for she rode on the bull of Shiva and wore a beggar`s dress. She protested against her father`s neglect of Shiva, but Daksha broke into angry curses and derided the `beggar`, the `ash-man`, the `king of goblins` and the `long-haired yogi`. Sati replied to her father that Shiva is everyone`s fried and on one, except Daksha, speak ill of him. She told to Daksha that all the gods know the truth of Shiva and still hear what he was saying. However, as a wife she would not be able to tolerate the insult to her husband in front of her and thus she released the inward consuming fire and fell dead at the feet of Daksha.