The Dispute of Kshuva and Dadhichi

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.58.1)

सूत उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य विधेरमितधीमतः । पप्रच्छ नारदः प्रीत्या विस्मितस्तं द्विजोत्तमः

sūta uvāca | ityākarṇya vacastasya vidheramitadhīmataḥ | papraccha nāradaḥ prītyā vismitastaṁ dvijottamaḥ

Suta said: "Having heard these words of Vidhi, of boundless wisdom, Narada, foremost of the twice-born, astonished, lovingly questioned him."

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.58.2)

नारद उवाच । शिवं विहाय दक्षस्य सुरैर्यज्ञं हरिर्गतः । हेतुना केन तद् ब्रूहि यत्रावज्ञाभवत्ततः

nārada uvāca | śivaṁ vihāya dakṣasya surairyajñaṁ harirgataḥ | hetunā kena tad brūhi yatrāvajñābhavattataḥ

Narada said: "Tell me, for what reason did Hari, forsaking Shiva, go with the gods to Daksha's sacrifice, where such disrespect then occurred?"

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.58.3)

जानाति किं स शम्भुं नो हरिः प्रलयविक्रमम् । रणं कथं च कृतवान् तद्गणैरबुधो यथा

jānāti kiṁ sa śambhuṁ no hariḥ pralayavikramam | raṇaṁ kathaṁ ca kṛtavān tadgaṇairabudho yathā

"Does Hari not know Shambhu's valor, mighty as universal dissolution? How could he wage war against his ganas, as if in ignorance?"

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.58.4)

एष मे संशयो भूयांस्तं छिन्धि करुणानिधे । चरितं ब्रूहि शम्भोस्तु चित्तोत्साहकरं प्रभो

eṣa me saṁśayo bhūyāṁstaṁ chindhi karuṇānidhe | caritaṁ brūhi śambhostu cittotsāhakaraṁ prabho

"This is my great doubt, O treasury of compassion — dispel it. And tell me, O lord, of Shambhu's deeds that gladden the heart."

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.58.5)

ब्रह्मोवाच । द्विजवर्य शृणु प्रीत्या चरितं शशिमौलिनः । यत्पृच्छते कुर्वतश्च सर्वसंशयहारकम्

brahmovāca | dvijavarya śṛṇu prītyā caritaṁ śaśimaulinaḥ | yatpṛcchate kurvataśca sarvasaṁśayahārakam

Brahma said: "O foremost of the twice-born, hear lovingly this deed of the moon-crested one, which removes every doubt, both of the one who asks and of the one who tells it."

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.58.6)

दधीचस्य मुनेः शापाद् भ्रष्टज्ञानो हरिः पुरा । सामरो दक्षयज्ञं वै गतः क्षुवसहायकृत्

dadhīcasya muneḥ śāpād bhraṣṭajñāno hariḥ purā | sāmaro dakṣayajñaṁ vai gataḥ kṣuvasahāyakṛt

"Long ago, by the curse of the sage Dadhichi, Hari, his knowledge lost, went with the gods to Daksha's sacrifice, acting as Kshuva's ally."

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.58.7)

नारद उवाच । किमर्थं शप्तवान्विष्णुं दधीचो मुनिसत्तमः । कोऽपकारः कृतस्तस्य हरिणा तत्सहायिना

nārada uvāca | kimarthaṁ śaptavānviṣṇuṁ dadhīco munisattamaḥ | ko'pakāraḥ kṛtastasya hariṇā tatsahāyinā

Narada said: "For what reason did that foremost of sages, Dadhichi, curse Vishnu? What wrong did Hari, as his ally, do to him?"

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.58.8)

ब्रह्मोवाच । समुत्पन्नो महातेजा राजा क्षुव इति स्मृतः । अभून्मित्रं दधीचस्य मुनीन्द्रस्य महाप्रभोः

brahmovāca | samutpanno mahātejā rājā kṣuva iti smṛtaḥ | abhūnmitraṁ dadhīcasya munīndrasya mahāprabhoḥ

Brahma said: "There arose a king of great splendor known as Kshuva, who became a friend of Dadhichi, the great and mighty lord among sages."

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.58.9)

चिरात्तपःप्रसङ्गाद्वै वादः क्षुवदधीचयोः । महानर्थकरः ख्यातस्त्रिलोकेष्वभवत्पुरा

cirāttapaḥprasaṅgādvai vādaḥ kṣuvadadhīcayoḥ | mahānarthakaraḥ khyātastrilokeṣvabhavatpurā

"Long afterward, on some occasion touching austerity, a dispute arose between Kshuva and Dadhichi — one that grew into a great calamity renowned throughout the three worlds."

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.58.10)

तत्र त्रिवर्णतः श्रेष्ठो विप्र एव न संशयः । इति प्राह दधीचो हि शिवभक्तस्तु वेदवित्

tatra trivarṇataḥ śreṣṭho vipra eva na saṁśayaḥ | iti prāha dadhīco hi śivabhaktastu vedavit

"There, Dadhichi, devoted to Shiva and versed in the Vedas, declared: 'Among the three varnas, the Brahmin alone is supreme — of this there is no doubt.'"

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.58.11)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य दधीचस्य महामुने । क्षुवः प्राहेति नृपतिः श्रीमदेन विमोहितः

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya dadhīcasya mahāmune | kṣuvaḥ prāheti nṛpatiḥ śrīmadena vimohitaḥ

"Hearing those words of Dadhichi, O great sage, King Kshuva, deluded by the pride of his own royal splendor, spoke thus."

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.58.12)

क्षुव उवाच । अष्टानां लोकपालानां वपुर्धारयते नृपः । तस्मान्नृपो वरिष्ठो हि वर्णाश्रमपतिः प्रभुः

kṣuva uvāca | aṣṭānāṁ lokapālānāṁ vapurdhārayate nṛpaḥ | tasmānnṛpo variṣṭho hi varṇāśramapatiḥ prabhuḥ

Kshuva said: "A king bears within his body the very forms of the eight world-guardians; therefore the king is the most excellent, the lord and master of every varna and ashrama."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.58.13)

सर्वदेवमयो राजा श्रुतिः प्राहेति तत्परा । महती देवता या सा सोऽहमेव ततो मुने

sarvadevamayo rājā śrutiḥ prāheti tatparā | mahatī devatā yā sā so'hameva tato mune

"The Shruti itself, devoted to this very truth, declares the king to be made of all the gods; whatever great deity that is, that indeed am I, O sage."

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.58.14)

तस्माद्विप्राद्वरो राजा च्यावनेय विचार्यताम् । नावमन्तव्य एवातः पूज्योऽहं सर्वथा त्वया

tasmādviprādvaro rājā cyāvaneya vicāryatām | nāvamantavya evātaḥ pūjyo'haṁ sarvathā tvayā

"Therefore, O son of Chyavana, consider well — a king is superior to a Brahmin. Hence I am not to be disrespected; I am, in every way, to be honored by you."

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.58.15)

ब्रह्मोवाच । श्रुत्वा तथा मतं तस्य क्षुवस्य मुनिसत्तमः । श्रुतिस्मृतिविरुद्धं तं चुकोपातीव भार्गवः

brahmovāca | śrutvā tathā mataṁ tasya kṣuvasya munisattamaḥ | śrutismṛtiviruddhaṁ taṁ cukopātīva bhārgavaḥ

Brahma said: "Hearing that opinion of Kshuva, contrary to Shruti and Smriti, the foremost of sages, that descendant of Bhrigu, grew exceedingly angry."

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.58.16)

अथ क्रुद्धो महातेजा गौरवाच्चात्मनो मुने । अताडयत्क्षुवं मूर्ध्नि दधीचो वाममुष्टितः

atha kruddho mahātejā gauravāccātmano mune | atāḍayatkṣuvaṁ mūrdhni dadhīco vāmamuṣṭitaḥ

"Then, O sage, enraged out of the dignity of his own station, that one of great splendor, Dadhichi, struck Kshuva on the head with his left fist."

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.58.17)

वज्रेण तं च चिच्छेद दधीचं ताडितः क्षुवः । जगर्जातीव सङ्क्रुद्धो ब्रह्माण्डाधिपतिः कुधीः

vajreṇa taṁ ca ciccheda dadhīcaṁ tāḍitaḥ kṣuvaḥ | jagarjātīva saṅkruddho brahmāṇḍādhipatiḥ kudhīḥ

"Kshuva, thus struck, cut down Dadhichi with his thunderbolt; and that ill-counseled sovereign roared aloud in his extreme fury."

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.58.18)

पपात भूमौ निहतो तेन वज्रेण भार्गवः । शुक्रं सस्मार क्षुवकृद्भार्गवस्य कुलन्धरः

papāta bhūmau nihato tena vajreṇa bhārgavaḥ | śukraṁ sasmāra kṣuvakṛdbhārgavasya kulandharaḥ

"Struck down by that thunderbolt, the Bhargava fell to the ground; and by that blow dealt by Kshuva, Shukra, sustainer of the Bhargava line, was called to mind."

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.58.19)

शुक्रोऽथ सन्धयामास ताडितं च क्षुवेन तु । योगी दधीचस्य तदा देहमागत्य स द्रुतम्

śukro'tha sandhayāmāsa tāḍitaṁ ca kṣuvena tu | yogī dadhīcasya tadā dehamāgatya sa drutam

"Then Shukra, that yogi, coming swiftly, set about rejoining the body of Dadhichi, who had been struck down by Kshuva."

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.58.20)

सन्धाय पूर्ववद्देहं दधीचस्याह भार्गवः । शिवभक्ताग्रणीर्मृत्यञ्जयविद्याप्रवर्तकः

sandhāya pūrvavaddehaṁ dadhīcasyāha bhārgavaḥ | śivabhaktāgraṇīrmṛtyañjayavidyāpravartakaḥ

"Having restored Dadhichi's body as it was before, that Bhargava — foremost among Shiva's devotees, propagator of the Mrityunjaya lore — spoke to him."

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.58.21)

शुक्र उवाच । दधीच तात सम्पूज्य शिवं सर्वेश्वरं प्रभुम् । महामृत्युञ्जयं मन्त्रं श्रौतमग्र्यं वदामि ते

śukra uvāca | dadhīca tāta sampūjya śivaṁ sarveśvaraṁ prabhum | mahāmṛtyuñjayaṁ mantraṁ śrautamagryaṁ vadāmi te

Shukra said: "O dear Dadhichi, worship Shiva, the Lord of all, and I shall teach you the supreme, Vedic Mahamrityunjaya mantra."

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.58.22)

त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे त्रैलोक्यं पितरं प्रभुम् । त्रिमण्डलस्य पितरं त्रिगुणस्य महेश्वरम्

tryambakaṁ yajāmahe trailokyaṁ pitaraṁ prabhum | trimaṇḍalasya pitaraṁ triguṇasya maheśvaram

"We worship the three-eyed one, the father and lord of the three worlds, the father of the threefold sphere, the great lord of the three gunas."

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.58.23)

त्रितत्त्वस्य त्रिवह्नेश्च त्रिधाभूतस्य सर्वतः । त्रिदिवस्य त्रिबाहोश्च त्रिधाभूतस्य सर्वतः

tritattvasya trivahneśca tridhābhūtasya sarvataḥ | tridivasya tribāhośca tridhābhūtasya sarvataḥ

"Of the three principles, of the three fires, wholly threefold in every way; of the three heavens, of the threefold arms, wholly threefold in every way."

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.58.24)

त्रिदेवस्य महादेवः सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्द्धनम् । सर्वभूतेषु सर्वत्र त्रिगुणेषु कृतौ यथा

tridevasya mahādevaḥ sugandhiṁ puṣṭivarddhanam | sarvabhūteṣu sarvatra triguṇeṣu kṛtau yathā

"Of the three gods he is Mahadeva, the fragrant one, the increaser of nourishment, present everywhere in all beings, and in the three gunas as their maker."

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.58.25)

इन्द्रियेषु तथान्येषु देवेषु च गणेषु च । पुष्पे सुगन्धिवत्सूरः सुगन्धिरमरेश्वरः

indriyeṣu tathānyeṣu deveṣu ca gaṇeṣu ca | puṣpe sugandhivatsūraḥ sugandhiramareśvaraḥ

"In the senses and in other things, in the gods and in the ganas — like fragrance in a flower, the radiant lord of the immortals is himself fragrance."

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.58.26)

पुष्टिश्च प्रकृतेर्यस्मात्पुरुषाद् वै द्विजोत्तम । महदादिविशेषान्तविकल्पश्चापि सुव्रत

puṣṭiśca prakṛteryasmātpuruṣād vai dvijottama | mahadādiviśeṣāntavikalpaścāpi suvrata

"And nourishment comes from Prakriti and from Purusha, O foremost of the twice-born; and so too, O one of good vows, does every modification from Mahat down to the particulars of creation."

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.58.27)

विष्णोः पितामहस्यापि मुनीनां च महामुने । इन्द्रियाणां च देवानां तस्माद् वै पुष्टिवर्धनः

viṣṇoḥ pitāmahasyāpi munīnāṁ ca mahāmune | indriyāṇāṁ ca devānāṁ tasmād vai puṣṭivardhanaḥ

"Of Vishnu, of Grandsire Brahma too, of the sages, O great sage, and of the senses and of the gods — from him alone comes their increase and nourishment."

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.58.28)

तं देवममृतं रुद्रं कर्मणा तपसापि वा । स्वाध्यायेन च योगेन ध्यानेन च प्रजायते

taṁ devamamṛtaṁ rudraṁ karmaṇā tapasāpi vā | svādhyāyena ca yogena dhyānena ca prajāyate

"That immortal god Rudra is attained through action, through austerity, through the study of scripture, through yoga, and through meditation."

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.58.29)

सत्येनान्येन सूक्ष्माग्रान्मृत्युपाशाद्भवः स्वयम् । बन्धमोक्षकरो यस्मादुर्वारुकमिव प्रभुः

satyenānyena sūkṣmāgrānmṛtyupāśādbhavaḥ svayam | bandhamokṣakaro yasmādurvārukamiva prabhuḥ

"Bhava himself, through truth and other subtle means, releases the seeker from the noose of death; for the Lord alone is the cause of both bondage and liberation, even as a cucumber is freed from its bond."

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.58.30)

मृतसञ्जीवनीमन्त्रो मम सर्वोत्तमः स्मृतः । एवं जपपरः प्रीत्या नियमेन शिवं स्मरन्

mṛtasañjīvanīmantro mama sarvottamaḥ smṛtaḥ | evaṁ japaparaḥ prītyā niyamena śivaṁ smaran

"This is held to be the supreme death-reviving mantra above all others. Thus, devoted to its recitation with love, remembering Shiva according to due discipline —"

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.58.31)

जप्त्वा हुत्वाभिमन्त्र्यैवं जलं पिब दिवानिशम् । शिवस्य सन्निधौ ध्यात्वा नास्ति मृत्युभयं क्वचित्

japtvā hutvābhimantryaivaṁ jalaṁ piba divāniśam | śivasya sannidhau dhyātvā nāsti mṛtyubhayaṁ kvacit

"— having recited it, offered oblation with it, and consecrated water with it, drink that water day and night; meditating in Shiva's presence, there is no fear of death anywhere at all."

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.58.32)

कृत्वा न्यासादिकं सर्वं सम्पूज्य विधिवच्छिवम् । संविधायेदं निर्व्यग्रः शङ्करं भक्तवत्सलम्

kṛtvā nyāsādikaṁ sarvaṁ sampūjya vidhivacchivam | saṁvidhāyedaṁ nirvyagraḥ śaṅkaraṁ bhaktavatsalam

"Having performed the ritual placements and all such rites, and having duly worshipped Shiva, carry out this whole procedure for Shankara, ever affectionate to his devotees, free of all anxiety."

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.58.33)

ध्यानमस्य प्रवक्ष्यामि यथा ध्यात्वा जपेन्मनुम् । सिद्धमन्त्रो भवेद्धीमान् यावच्छम्भुप्रभावतः

dhyānamasya pravakṣyāmi yathā dhyātvā japenmanum | siddhamantro bhaveddhīmān yāvacchambhuprabhāvataḥ

"I shall now declare his meditation-form; meditating upon it while reciting the mantra, the wise one attains mantra-siddhi by the very power of Shambhu."

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.58.34)

हस्ताम्भोजयुगस्थकुम्भयुगलादुद्धृत्य तोयं शिरः सिञ्चन्तं करयोर्युगेन दधतं स्वाङ्के सकुम्भौ करौ । अक्षस्रङ्मृगहस्तमम्बुजगतं मूर्धस्थचन्द्रस्रवत्- पीयूषार्द्रतनुं भजे सगिरिजं त्र्यक्षं च मृत्युञ्जयम्

hastāmbhojayugasthakumbhayugalāduddhṛtya toyaṁ śiraḥ siñcantaṁ karayoryugena dadhataṁ svāṅke sakumbhau karau | akṣasraṅmṛgahastamambujagataṁ mūrdhasthacandrasravat- pīyūṣārdratanuṁ bhaje sagirijaṁ tryakṣaṁ ca mṛtyuñjayam

"I worship three-eyed Mrityunjaya, together with the mountain's daughter Girija, seated upon a lotus — who, taking water from the twin pitchers held in his lotus-hands, sprinkles it upon his own head, or else holds those two pitchers resting in his lap; who bears a rosary and a deer in his hands; whose body is moistened by the nectar streaming down from the moon set upon his crown."

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.58.35)

ब्रह्मोवाच । उपदिश्येति शुक्रः तं दधीचिं मुनिसत्तमम् । स्वस्थानमगमत्तात संस्मरन् शङ्करं प्रभुम्

brahmovāca | upadiśyeti śukraḥ taṁ dadhīciṁ munisattamam | svasthānamagamattāta saṁsmaran śaṅkaraṁ prabhum

Brahma said: "Having thus instructed that foremost of sages, Dadhichi, Shukra departed for his own abode, O dear one, remembering Lord Shankara."

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.58.36)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दधीचो हि महामुनिः । वनं जगाम तपसे महाप्रीत्या शिवं स्मरन्

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā dadhīco hi mahāmuniḥ | vanaṁ jagāma tapase mahāprītyā śivaṁ smaran

"Hearing those words of his, the great sage Dadhichi went to the forest to perform austerity, calling Shiva to mind with great love."

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.58.37)

तत्र गत्वा विधानेन महामृत्युञ्जयाभिधम् । तं मनुं प्रजपन् प्रीत्या तपस्तेपे शिवं स्मरन्

tatra gatvā vidhānena mahāmṛtyuñjayābhidham | taṁ manuṁ prajapan prītyā tapastepe śivaṁ smaran

"Having gone there, he duly recited that mantra called Mahamrityunjaya with devotion, and performed austerity, keeping Shiva in mind."

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.58.38)

तन्मनुं सुचिरं जप्त्वा तपसाराध्य शङ्करम् । शिवं सन्तोषयामास महामृत्युञ्जयं हि सः

tanmanuṁ suciraṁ japtvā tapasārādhya śaṅkaram | śivaṁ santoṣayāmāsa mahāmṛtyuñjayaṁ hi saḥ

"Having recited that mantra for a very long time, and having propitiated Shankara through austerity, he pleased Shiva, the great conqueror of death."

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.58.39)

अथ शम्भुः प्रसन्नात्मा तज्जपाद्भक्तवत्सलः । आविर्बभूव पुरतस्तस्य प्रीत्या महामुने

atha śambhuḥ prasannātmā tajjapādbhaktavatsalaḥ | āvirbabhūva puratastasya prītyā mahāmune

"Then Shambhu, his heart pleased by that recitation, ever affectionate to his devotees, appeared lovingly before him, O great sage."

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.58.40)

तं दृष्ट्वा स्वप्रभुं शम्भुं स मुमोद मुनीश्वरः । प्रणम्य विधिवद्भक्त्या तुष्टाव सुकृताञ्जलिः

taṁ dṛṣṭvā svaprabhuṁ śambhuṁ sa mumoda munīśvaraḥ | praṇamya vidhivadbhaktyā tuṣṭāva sukṛtāñjaliḥ

"Seeing his own Lord Shambhu, that lord of sages rejoiced; bowing down with due devotion, and with hands folded reverently, he praised him."

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.58.41)

अथ प्रीत्या शिवस्तात प्रसन्नश्च्यावनिं मुने । वरं ब्रूहीति स प्राह सुप्रसन्नेन चेतसा

atha prītyā śivastāta prasannaścyāvaniṁ mune | varaṁ brūhīti sa prāha suprasannena cetasā

"Then Shiva, O dear one, pleased and full of love, said to the son of Chyavana, O sage, with a heart most gracious: 'Ask for a boon.'"

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.58.42)

तच्छ्रुत्वा शम्भुवचनं दधीचो भक्तसत्तमः । साञ्जलिर्नतकः प्राह शङ्करं भक्तवत्सलम्

tacchrutvā śambhuvacanaṁ dadhīco bhaktasattamaḥ | sāñjalirnatakaḥ prāha śaṅkaraṁ bhaktavatsalam

"Hearing those words of Shambhu, Dadhichi, foremost of devotees, with hands folded and bowing low, spoke to Shankara, ever affectionate to his devotees."

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.58.43)

दधीच उवाच । देवदेव महादेव मह्यं देहि वरत्रयम् । वज्रास्थित्वमवध्यत्वमदीनत्वं हि सर्वतः

dadhīca uvāca | devadeva mahādeva mahyaṁ dehi varatrayam | vajrāsthitvamavadhyatvamadīnatvaṁ hi sarvataḥ

Dadhichi said: "O God of gods, O Mahadeva, grant me three boons: that my bones become as adamant, that I be unslayable, and that I be free of dejection, in every way."

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.58.44)

ब्रह्मोवाच । तदुक्तवचनं श्रुत्वा प्रसन्नः परमेश्वरः । वरत्रयं ददौ तस्मै दधीचाय तथास्त्विति

brahmovāca | taduktavacanaṁ śrutvā prasannaḥ parameśvaraḥ | varatrayaṁ dadau tasmai dadhīcāya tathāstviti

Brahma said: "Hearing those words spoken, the supreme Lord, well pleased, granted him those three boons, saying to Dadhichi, 'So be it.'"

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.58.45)

वरत्रयं शिवात्प्राप्य सानन्दश्च महामुनिः । क्षुवस्थानं जगामाशु वेदमार्गे प्रतिष्ठितः

varatrayaṁ śivātprāpya sānandaśca mahāmuniḥ | kṣuvasthānaṁ jagāmāśu vedamārge pratiṣṭhitaḥ

"Having received those three boons from Shiva, the great sage, filled with joy and established firmly in the path of the Vedas, went at once to Kshuva."

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.58.46)

प्राप्यावध्यत्वमुग्रात्स वज्रास्थित्वमदीनताम् । अताडयच्च राजेन्द्रं पादमूलेन मूर्धनि

prāpyāvadhyatvamugrātsa vajrāsthitvamadīnatām | atāḍayacca rājendraṁ pādamūlena mūrdhani

"Having obtained invincibility against even the fiercest thunderbolt, adamantine bones, and freedom from dejection, he struck that foremost of kings on the head with the sole of his foot."

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.58.47)

क्षुवो दधीचं वज्रेण जघानोरस्यथो नृपः । क्रोधं कृत्वा विशेषेण विष्णुगौरवगर्वितः

kṣuvo dadhīcaṁ vajreṇa jaghānorasyatho nṛpaḥ | krodhaṁ kṛtvā viśeṣeṇa viṣṇugauravagarvitaḥ

"Then king Kshuva, in great fury and puffed up with pride in Vishnu's protection, struck Dadhichi on the chest with his thunderbolt."

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.58.48)

नाभून्नाशाय तद्वज्रं दधीचस्य महात्मनः । प्रभावात्परमेशस्य धातृपुत्रो विसिस्मिये

nābhūnnāśāya tadvajraṁ dadhīcasya mahātmanaḥ | prabhāvātparameśasya dhātṛputro visismiye

"That thunderbolt could not destroy the great-souled Dadhichi, by the power of the Supreme Lord; and the king, seeing this, was struck with amazement."

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.58.49)

दृष्ट्वाप्यवध्यत्वमदीनतां च वज्रस्य चात्यन्तपरप्रभावम् । क्षुवो दधीचस्य मुनीश्वरस्य विसिस्मिये चेतसि धातृपुत्रः

dṛṣṭvāpyavadhyatvamadīnatāṁ ca vajrasya cātyantaparaprabhāvam | kṣuvo dadhīcasya munīśvarasya visismiye cetasi dhātṛputraḥ

"Seeing that invincibility and fearlessness, and the utterly transcendent power that overcame even his thunderbolt, Kshuva, in his heart, was struck with amazement at that lord among sages, Dadhichi."

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.58.50)

आराधयामास हरिं मुकुन्द- मिन्द्रानुजं काननमाशु गत्वा । प्रपन्नपालश्च पराजितो हि दधीचमृत्युञ्जयसेवकेन

ārādhayāmāsa hariṁ mukunda- mindrānujaṁ kānanamāśu gatvā | prapannapālaśca parājito hi dadhīcamṛtyuñjayasevakena

"Going swiftly to the forest, he began to worship Hari — Mukunda, the younger brother of Indra, protector of those who take refuge in him — having been defeated by Dadhichi, the servant of Mrityunjaya."

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.58.51)

पूजया तस्य सन्तुष्टो भगवान् मधुसूदनः । प्रददौ दर्शनं तस्मै दिव्यं वै गरुडध्वजः

pūjayā tasya santuṣṭo bhagavān madhusūdanaḥ | pradadau darśanaṁ tasmai divyaṁ vai garuḍadhvajaḥ

"Pleased by his worship, Lord Madhusudana, he whose banner bears Garuda, granted him a divine vision of himself."

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.58.52)

दिव्येन दर्शनेनैव दृष्ट्वा देवं जनार्दनम् । तुष्टाव वाग्भिरिष्टाभिः प्रणम्य गरुडध्वजम्

divyena darśanenaiva dṛṣṭvā devaṁ janārdanam | tuṣṭāva vāgbhiriṣṭābhiḥ praṇamya garuḍadhvajam

"Having seen the god Janardana by that divine vision, he bowed down to the Garuda-bannered one and praised him with cherished words."

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.58.53)

सम्पूज्य चैवं त्रिदशेश्वराद्यैः स्तुत्वा स्तुतं देवमजेयमीशम् । विज्ञापयामास निरीक्ष्य भक्त्या जनार्दनाय प्रणिपत्य मूर्ध्ना

sampūjya caivaṁ tridaśeśvarādyaiḥ stutvā stutaṁ devamajeyamīśam | vijñāpayāmāsa nirīkṣya bhaktyā janārdanāya praṇipatya mūrdhnā

"Having worshipped him thus, and having praised that invincible Lord who is praised even by the chief of the gods and others, he made his plea, gazing upon Janardana with devotion, his head bowed low before him."

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.58.54)

राजोवाच । भगवन् ब्राह्मणः कश्चिद्दधीच इति विश्रुतः । धर्मवेत्ता विनीतात्मा सखा मम पुराभवत्

rājovāca | bhagavan brāhmaṇaḥ kaściddadhīca iti viśrutaḥ | dharmavettā vinītātmā sakhā mama purābhavat

The king said: "O Lord, there is a certain Brahmin renowned as Dadhichi, a knower of dharma, humble of soul, who was formerly my friend."

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.58.55)

अवध्यः सर्वदा सर्वैः शङ्करस्य प्रभावतः । तमाराध्य महादेवं मृत्युञ्जयमनामयम्

avadhyaḥ sarvadā sarvaiḥ śaṅkarasya prabhāvataḥ | tamārādhya mahādevaṁ mṛtyuñjayamanāmayam

"By the power of Shankara he is now always unslayable by anyone, having propitiated that Mahadeva, Mrityunjaya, ever free of affliction."

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.58.56)

सावज्ञं वामपादेन मम मूर्ध्नि सदस्यपि । ताडयामास वेगेन स दधीचो महातपाः

sāvajñaṁ vāmapādena mama mūrdhni sadasyapi | tāḍayāmāsa vegena sa dadhīco mahātapāḥ

"That Dadhichi, of great austerity, contemptuously struck me swiftly on the head with his left foot, even in open assembly."

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.58.57)

उवाच मां च गर्वेण न बिभेमीति सर्वतः । मृत्युञ्जयाप्तसुवरो गर्वितो ह्यतुलं हरे

uvāca māṁ ca garveṇa na bibhemīti sarvataḥ | mṛtyuñjayāptasuvaro garvito hyatulaṁ hare

"And, O Hari, with pride he said to me, 'I fear nothing from anyone at all' — made arrogant beyond measure by the boon he obtained from Mrityunjaya."

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.58.58)

अथ ज्ञात्वा दधीचस्य ह्यवध्यत्वं महात्मनः । सस्मारास्य महेशस्य प्रभावमतुलं हरिः

atha jñātvā dadhīcasya hyavadhyatvaṁ mahātmanaḥ | sasmārāsya maheśasya prabhāvamatulaṁ hariḥ

Then, knowing the invincibility of the great-souled Dadhichi, Hari called to mind the matchless power of Mahesha behind it.

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.58.59)

एवं स्मृत्वा हरिः प्राह क्षुवं विधिसुतं द्रुतम् । विप्राणां नास्ति राजेन्द्र भयमण्वपि कुत्रचित्

evaṁ smṛtvā hariḥ prāha kṣuvaṁ vidhisutaṁ drutam | viprāṇāṁ nāsti rājendra bhayamaṇvapi kutracit

Having thus reflected, Hari at once said to Kshuva: "O foremost of kings, Brahmins have no fear whatsoever, anywhere, not even the slightest."

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.58.60)

विशेषाद् रुद्रभक्तानां भयं नास्ति च भूपते । दुःखं करोति विप्रस्य शापार्थं स सुरस्य मे

viśeṣād rudrabhaktānāṁ bhayaṁ nāsti ca bhūpate | duḥkhaṁ karoti viprasya śāpārthaṁ sa surasya me

"Especially for devotees of Rudra there is no fear at all, O lord of the earth. Yet for the sake of that Brahmin's curse, distress shall come even to me, a god."

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.58.61)

भविता तस्य शापेन दक्षयज्ञे सुरेश्वरात् । विनाशो मम राजेन्द्र पुनरुत्थानमेव च

bhavitā tasya śāpena dakṣayajñe sureśvarāt | vināśo mama rājendra punarutthānameva ca

"By his curse, O foremost of kings, at Daksha's sacrifice there shall come about my own destruction at the hands of the Lord of the gods, and my revival as well."

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.58.62)

तस्मात्समेत्य राजेन्द्र सर्वयज्ञो न भूयते । करोमि यत्नं राजेन्द्र दधीचविजयाय ते

tasmātsametya rājendra sarvayajño na bhūyate | karomi yatnaṁ rājendra dadhīcavijayāya te

"Therefore, O foremost of kings, joined together though we may be, this sacrifice will not go undisturbed; yet still, O foremost of kings, I shall make effort for your victory over Dadhichi."

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.58.63)

श्रुत्वा वाक्यं क्षुवः प्राह तथास्त्विति हरेर्नृपः । तस्थौ तत्रैव तत्प्रीत्या तत्कामोत्सुकमानसः

śrutvā vākyaṁ kṣuvaḥ prāha tathāstviti harernṛpaḥ | tasthau tatraiva tatprītyā tatkāmotsukamānasaḥ

Hearing these words, King Kshuva said to Hari, "So be it," and remained right there, his heart pleased, eager for the fulfillment of his desire.