The Advent of Virabhadra

Verse 1 (skanda.1.3.1)

॥लोमश उवाच॥ दाक्षायणी गता तत्र यत्र यज्ञो महानभूत्॥ तत्पितुः सदनं गत्वा ना नाश्चर्यसमन्वितम्

||lomaśa uvāca|| dākṣāyaṇī gatā tatra yatra yajño mahānabhūt|| tatpituḥ sadanaṃ gatvā nā nāścaryasamanvitam

Lomasha said: Dakshayani went there where the great sacrifice was underway; arriving at her father's dwelling, she found it filled with wonders.

Verse 2 (skanda.1.3.2)

द्वारि स्थिता तदा देवा अवतीर्य निजासनात्॥ नंदिनो हि महाभागा देवलोकं निरीक्ष्य च

dvāri sthitā tadā devā avatīrya nijāsanāt|| naṃdino hi mahābhāgā devalokaṃ nirīkṣya ca

At the gate, the gods, having descended from their own seats, stood waiting; that most fortunate goddess beheld that scene resembling the world of the gods.

Verse 3 (skanda.1.3.3)

मातरं पितरं दृष्ट्वा सुहृत्संबंधि वांधवान्॥ अभिवाद्यैव पिरतं मातरं च मुदान्विता

mātaraṃ pitaraṃ dṛṣṭvā suhṛtsaṃbaṃdhi vāṃdhavān|| abhivādyaiva pirataṃ mātaraṃ ca mudānvitā

Having seen her mother and father, her friends, kinsmen, and relatives, and having, with joy, offered salutation to her father and mother,

Verse 4 (skanda.1.3.4)

बभाषे वचनं देवी प्रस्तापसदृशं तदा॥ अनाहूतस्त्वया कस्माच्छंभुः परमशोभनः

babhāṣe vacanaṃ devī prastāpasadṛśaṃ tadā|| anāhūtastvayā kasmācchaṃbhuḥ paramaśobhanaḥ

the Goddess then spoke words fitting the occasion: "Why have you left Shambhu, most excellent of all, uninvited?"

Verse 5 (skanda.1.3.5)

येन पूतमिदं सर्वं समग्रं सचराचरम्॥ यज्ञो यज्ञविदां श्रेष्ठो यज्ञांगो यज्ञदक्षिणः

yena pūtamidaṃ sarvaṃ samagraṃ sacarācaram|| yajño yajñavidāṃ śreṣṭho yajñāṃgo yajñadakṣiṇaḥ

"By whom this entire moving and unmoving universe is made pure — who is the sacrifice itself, foremost among knowers of sacrifice, the very limb of sacrifice and its sacrificial fee —"

Verse 6 (skanda.1.3.6)

द्रव्यं मंत्रादिकं सर्वं हव्यं कव्यं च यन्मयम्॥ विना तेन कृतं सर्वमपवित्रं भविष्यति

dravyaṃ maṃtrādikaṃ sarvaṃ havyaṃ kavyaṃ ca yanmayam|| vinā tena kṛtaṃ sarvamapavitraṃ bhaviṣyati

"All substance, mantra, and the rest, and all the oblations offered to gods and ancestors that are of his very nature — without him, whatever is performed shall become impure."

Verse 7 (skanda.1.3.7)

शंभुना हि विना तात कथं यज्ञः प्रवर्तते॥ एते कथं समायाता ब्रह्मणा सहिताः पितः

śaṃbhunā hi vinā tāta kathaṃ yajñaḥ pravartate|| ete kathaṃ samāyātā brahmaṇā sahitāḥ pitaḥ

"O father, how can a sacrifice proceed at all without Shambhu? How, O father, have all these come here, together with Brahma?"

Verse 8 (skanda.1.3.8)

हे भृगो त्वं न जानासि हे कश्यप महामते॥ अत्रे विशिष्ठ एकस्त्वं शक्र किं कृतमद्यते

he bhṛgo tvaṃ na jānāsi he kaśyapa mahāmate|| atre viśiṣṭha ekastvaṃ śakra kiṃ kṛtamadyate

"O Bhrigu, do you not know? O wise Kashyapa! O Atri, you alone are distinguished in this! O Shakra, what have you done today?"

Verse 9 (skanda.1.3.9)

हे विष्णो त्वं महादेवं जानासि परमेश्वरम्॥ ब्रह्मन्किं त्वं न जानासि महादेवस्य विक्रमम्

he viṣṇo tvaṃ mahādevaṃ jānāsi parameśvaram|| brahmankiṃ tvaṃ na jānāsi mahādevasya vikramam

"O Vishnu, you know Mahadeva, the Supreme Lord! O Brahma, do you not know Mahadeva's power?"

Verse 10 (skanda.1.3.10)

पुरा पंचमुखो भूत्वा गर्वितोसि सदाशिवम्॥ कृतश्चतुर्मुखस्तेन विस्मृतोऽसि तदद्भुतम्

purā paṃcamukho bhūtvā garvitosi sadāśivam|| kṛtaścaturmukhastena vismṛto'si tadadbhutam

"Long ago, having become five-faced, you grew proud before Sadashiva; and he then made you four-faced — have you forgotten that very wonder?"

Verse 11 (skanda.1.3.11)

भिक्षाटनं कृतं येन पुरा दारुवने विभुः॥ शप्तोयं भिक्षुको रुद्रो भवद्भिः सखिभिस्तदा

bhikṣāṭanaṃ kṛtaṃ yena purā dāruvane vibhuḥ|| śaptoyaṃ bhikṣuko rudro bhavadbhiḥ sakhibhistadā

"That Lord once wandered as a mendicant in the Deodar forest, Daruvana; that very mendicant Rudra was then cursed by your own friends."

Verse 12 (skanda.1.3.12)

शप्तेनापि च रुद्रेण भवद्भिर्विस्मृतं कथम्॥ यस्यावयवमात्रेण पूरितं सचराचरम्

śaptenāpi ca rudreṇa bhavadbhirvismṛtaṃ katham|| yasyāvayavamātreṇa pūritaṃ sacarācaram

"Even though he was cursed, how have you forgotten that very Rudra, by a mere fragment of whose form this entire moving and unmoving universe is filled?"

Verse 13 (skanda.1.3.13)

लिंगभूतं जगत्सर्वं जातं तत्क्षणमेव हि॥ लयानाल्लिंगमित्याहुः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः

liṃgabhūtaṃ jagatsarvaṃ jātaṃ tatkṣaṇameva hi|| layānālliṃgamityāhuḥ sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ

"This entire universe became linga-formed in that very instant; because all things dissolve and arise in it, all the gods, together with Vasava, call it the 'linga'."

Verse 14 (skanda.1.3.14)

सर्वे देवाश्च संभूता यतो देवस्य शूलिनः॥ सोऽसौ वेदांतगो देवस्त्वया ज्ञातुं न पार्यते

sarve devāśca saṃbhūtā yato devasya śūlinaḥ|| so'sau vedāṃtago devastvayā jñātuṃ na pāryate

"All the gods themselves arose from that very trident-bearing God; that God, who lies beyond even the Vedanta, cannot be known even by you."

Verse 15 (skanda.1.3.15)

तस्या वचनमाकर्ण्य दक्षः क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीद्वचः॥ किं त्वया बहुनोक्तेन कार्यं नास्तीह सांप्रतम्

tasyā vacanamākarṇya dakṣaḥ kruddho'bravīdvacaḥ|| kiṃ tvayā bahunoktena kāryaṃ nāstīha sāṃpratam

Hearing her words, Daksha, enraged, said: "What is the use now of your saying so much?"

Verse 16 (skanda.1.3.16)

गच्छ वा तिष्ठवा भद्रे कस्मात्त्वं हि समागता॥ अमंगलो हि भर्ता ते अशिवोसौ सुमध्यमे

gaccha vā tiṣṭhavā bhadre kasmāttvaṃ hi samāgatā|| amaṃgalo hi bhartā te aśivosau sumadhyame

"Go or stay, O gentle one, as you please — why have you come here at all? O fair-waisted one, your husband is inauspicious and unholy."

Verse 17 (skanda.1.3.17)

अकुलीनो वेदबाह्यो भूतप्रेतपिशाचराट्॥ तस्मान्नाकारितो भद्रे यज्ञार्थं चारुभाषिणि

akulīno vedabāhyo bhūtapretapiśācarāṭ|| tasmānnākārito bhadre yajñārthaṃ cārubhāṣiṇi

"He is of no good lineage, outside the Veda, the king of ghosts, spirits, and goblins; that is why, O sweet-voiced one, he was not called for this sacrifice."

Verse 18 (skanda.1.3.18)

मया दत्तासि सुश्रोणि पापिना मंदबुद्धिना॥ रुद्रायाविदितार्थाय उद्धताय दुरात्मने

mayā dattāsi suśroṇi pāpinā maṃdabuddhinā|| rudrāyāviditārthāya uddhatāya durātmane

"O fair one, it was I, sinful and dull-witted, who gave you to that Rudra of unknown purpose, arrogant and evil-natured."

Verse 19 (skanda.1.3.19)

तस्मात्कायं परित्यज्य स्वस्था भव शुचिस्मिते॥ दक्षेणोक्ता तदा पुत्री सा सती लोकपूजिता

tasmātkāyaṃ parityajya svasthā bhava śucismite|| dakṣeṇoktā tadā putrī sā satī lokapūjitā

"Therefore, O pure-smiling one, abandon this body and find peace." Thus addressed by Daksha, that daughter, Sati, revered by all the world —

Verse 20 (skanda.1.3.20)

निंदायुक्तं स्वपितरं विलोक्य रुषिता भृशम्॥ चिंतयंती तदा देवी कथं यास्यामि मंदिरे

niṃdāyuktaṃ svapitaraṃ vilokya ruṣitā bhṛśam|| ciṃtayaṃtī tadā devī kathaṃ yāsyāmi maṃdire

seeing her own father thus given over to such reviling, grew exceedingly enraged; the Goddess thought: "How shall I now go back to that abode?"

Verse 21 (skanda.1.3.21)

शंकरं द्रष्टुकामांह किं वक्ष्ये तेन पृच्छिता॥ यो निंदति महादेवं निंद्यमानं श्रृणोति यः॥ तावुभौ नरके यातो यावच्चन्द्रदिवाकरौ

śaṃkaraṃ draṣṭukāmāṃha kiṃ vakṣye tena pṛcchitā|| yo niṃdati mahādevaṃ niṃdyamānaṃ śrṛṇoti yaḥ|| tāvubhau narake yāto yāvaccandradivākarau

"When I wish to see Shankara, what shall I say if he asks? Whoever reviles Mahadeva, and whoever listens to such reviling — both go to hell for as long as sun and moon endure."

Verse 22 (skanda.1.3.22)

तस्मात्तयक्ष्याम्यहं देहं प्रवेक्ष्यामि हुताशनम्

tasmāttayakṣyāmyahaṃ dehaṃ pravekṣyāmi hutāśanam

"Therefore I shall abandon this body; I shall enter the fire."

Verse 23 (skanda.1.3.23)

एवं मीमांसमाना सा शिवरुद्रेतिभाषिणी॥ अपमानाभिभूता सा प्रविवेश हुताशनम्

evaṃ mīmāṃsamānā sā śivarudretibhāṣiṇī|| apamānābhibhūtā sā praviveśa hutāśanam

Thus deliberating, that goddess who ever spoke the names of Shiva and Rudra, overwhelmed by this insult, entered the sacrificial fire.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.3.24)

हाहाकारेण महता व्याप्तमासीद्दिगंतरम्॥ सर्वे ते मंचमारूढाः शस्त्रैर्व्याप्ता निरंतराः

hāhākāreṇa mahatā vyāptamāsīddigaṃtaram|| sarve te maṃcamārūḍhāḥ śastrairvyāptā niraṃtarāḥ

A great cry of lamentation filled every quarter; all those attendants seated upon the platforms were seized everywhere, weapons in hand, with frenzy.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.3.25)

शस्त्रैः स्वैर्जध्नुरात्मानं स्वानि देहानि चिच्छिदुः॥ केचित्करतले गृह्य शिरांसि स्वानि चोत्सुकाः

śastraiḥ svairjadhnurātmānaṃ svāni dehāni cicchiduḥ|| kecitkaratale gṛhya śirāṃsi svāni cotsukāḥ

With their own weapons they struck themselves and cut their own bodies; some, eagerly, taking their own heads into their hands,

Verse 26 (skanda.1.3.26)

नीराजयंतस्त्वरिता भस्मीभूताश्च जज्ञिरे॥ एवमूचुस्तदा सर्वे जगर्ज्जुरतिभीषणम्

nīrājayaṃtastvaritā bhasmībhūtāśca jajñire|| evamūcustadā sarve jagarjjuratibhīṣaṇam

waved them as in an offering-lamp and at once turned to ash; thus crying out, all of them roared most terribly.

Verse 27 (skanda.1.3.27)

शस्त्रप्राहारैः स्वांगानि चिच्छिदुश्चातिभीषणाः॥ ते तथा विलयं प्राप्ता दाक्षायण्या समं तदा

śastraprāhāraiḥ svāṃgāni cicchiduścātibhīṣaṇāḥ|| te tathā vilayaṃ prāptā dākṣāyaṇyā samaṃ tadā

Striking their own limbs terribly with blows of their own weapons, they too passed into dissolution together with Dakshayani at that very moment.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.3.28)

गणास्तत्रायूते द्वे च तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्॥ ते सर्व ऋषयो देवा इंद्राद्याः समरुद्गणाः

gaṇāstatrāyūte dve ca tadadbhutamivābhavat|| te sarva ṛṣayo devā iṃdrādyāḥ samarudgaṇāḥ

There the ganas fell into two great masses, and it seemed a great wonder; all the sages present, and Indra and the other gods together with the Maruts —

Verse 29 (skanda.1.3.29)

विश्वेऽश्वनौ लोकपालास्तूष्णींबूतास्तदाभवन्॥ विष्णुं वरेण्यं केचिच्च प्रार्थयंतः समंततः

viśve'śvanau lokapālāstūṣṇīṃbūtāstadābhavan|| viṣṇuṃ vareṇyaṃ kecicca prārthayaṃtaḥ samaṃtataḥ

the Vishvedevas, the Ashvins, and the guardians of the quarters all fell silent, and some began to pray on every side to the excellent Vishnu.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.3.30)

एवं भूतस्तदा यज्ञो जातस्तस्य दुरात्मनः॥ दक्षस्य ब्रह्मबंधोश्च ऋषयो भयमागताः

evaṃ bhūtastadā yajño jātastasya durātmanaḥ|| dakṣasya brahmabaṃdhośca ṛṣayo bhayamāgatāḥ

Such was the fate that befell that sacrifice of the evil-souled Daksha, that false friend of the brahmins; and the sages present were filled with fear.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.3.31)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्रा नारदेन महात्मना॥ कथितं सर्वमेवैतद्दक्षस्य च विचेष्टितम्

etasminnaṃtare viprā nāradena mahātmanā|| kathitaṃ sarvamevaitaddakṣasya ca viceṣṭitam

Meanwhile, O brahmins, the great sage Narada went and related there the whole of Daksha's misconduct.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.3.32)

तदाकर्ण्येश्वरो वाक्यं नारदस्य मुखोद्गतम्॥ चुकोप परमं क्रुद्ध आसनादुत्पतन्निव

tadākarṇyeśvaro vākyaṃ nāradasya mukhodgatam|| cukopa paramaṃ kruddha āsanādutpatanniva

Hearing those words issuing from Narada's mouth, the Lord Ishvara grew supremely enraged, as though leaping up from his very seat.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.3.33)

उद्धृत्य च जटां रुद्रो लोकसंहारकारकः॥ आस्फोटयामास रुषा पर्वतस्य शिरोपरि

uddhṛtya ca jaṭāṃ rudro lokasaṃhārakārakaḥ|| āsphoṭayāmāsa ruṣā parvatasya śiropari

Rudra, the destroyer of the worlds, tore out a lock of his matted hair and, in fury, dashed it upon the mountain's peak.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.3.34)

ताडनाच्च समुद्भूतो वीरभद्रो महायशाः॥ तथा काली समुत्पन्ना भूतकोटिभिरावृता

tāḍanācca samudbhūto vīrabhadro mahāyaśāḥ|| tathā kālī samutpannā bhūtakoṭibhirāvṛtā

From that blow arose the greatly renowned Virabhadra; and likewise Kali arose, surrounded by tens of millions of spirits.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.3.35)

कोपान्निःश्वसितेनैव रुद्रस्य च महात्मनः॥ जातं ज्वराणां च शतं सन्निपातास्त्रयोदश

kopānniḥśvasitenaiva rudrasya ca mahātmanaḥ|| jātaṃ jvarāṇāṃ ca śataṃ sannipātāstrayodaśa

From the very sighing breath of the enraged, great-souled Rudra there arose a hundred kinds of fever and the thirteen compound plagues.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.3.36)

विज्ञप्तो वीरभद्रेण रुद्रो रौद्रपराक्रमः॥ किं कार्यं भवतः कार्यं शीघ्रमेव वद प्रभो

vijñapto vīrabhadreṇa rudro raudraparākramaḥ|| kiṃ kāryaṃ bhavataḥ kāryaṃ śīghrameva vada prabho

Virabhadra addressed Rudra, of terrible valor: "O Lord, what is your command? Tell me swiftly."

Verse 37 (skanda.1.3.37)

इत्युक्तो भगवान्रुद्रः प्रेषयामास सत्वरम्॥ गच्छ वीर महा बाहो दक्षयज्ञं विनाशय

ityukto bhagavānrudraḥ preṣayāmāsa satvaram|| gaccha vīra mahā bāho dakṣayajñaṃ vināśaya

Thus addressed, the Lord Rudra sent him forth at once: "Go, O mighty-armed hero, and destroy Daksha's sacrifice."

Verse 38 (skanda.1.3.38)

शासनं शिरसा धृत्वा देवदेवस्य शूलिनः॥ कालिकाऽलिहितो वीरः सर्वभूतैः समावृतः॥ वीरभद्रो महातेजा ययौ दक्षमखं प्रति

śāsanaṃ śirasā dhṛtvā devadevasya śūlinaḥ|| kālikā'lihito vīraḥ sarvabhūtaiḥ samāvṛtaḥ|| vīrabhadro mahātejā yayau dakṣamakhaṃ prati

Bearing on his head the command of the trident-bearing God of gods, that hero, embraced by Kalika and surrounded by all the hosts of spirits, the resplendent Virabhadra set out toward Daksha's sacrifice.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.3.39)

तदानीमेव सहसा दुर्निमित्तानि चाभवन्॥ रूक्षो ववौ तदा वायुः शर्कराभिः समावृतः

tadānīmeva sahasā durnimittāni cābhavan|| rūkṣo vavau tadā vāyuḥ śarkarābhiḥ samāvṛtaḥ

At that very moment, sudden evil omens appeared: a harsh wind laden with dust and gravel began to blow.

Verse 40 (skanda.1.3.40)

असृग्वर्षति देवश्च तिमिरेणाऽवृता दिवशः॥ उल्कापाताश्च बहवः पेतुरुर्व्यां सहस्रशः

asṛgvarṣati devaśca timireṇā'vṛtā divaśaḥ|| ulkāpātāśca bahavaḥ petururvyāṃ sahasraśaḥ

The sky rained blood, the day became wrapped in darkness, and thousands of meteors fell upon the earth.

Verse 41 (skanda.1.3.41)

एवंविधान्यरिष्टानि ददृशुर्विबुधादयः॥ दक्षोऽपि भयमापन्नो विष्णुं शरणमाययौ

evaṃvidhānyariṣṭāni dadṛśurvibudhādayaḥ|| dakṣo'pi bhayamāpanno viṣṇuṃ śaraṇamāyayau

Seeing such evil omens, the gods and all others grew afraid; Daksha too, overcome with fear, took refuge in Vishnu.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.3.42)

रक्षरक्ष महाविष्णो त्वं हि नः परमो गुरुः॥ यज्ञोऽसि त्वं सुरश्रेष्ठ भयान्मां परिमोचय

rakṣarakṣa mahāviṣṇo tvaṃ hi naḥ paramo guruḥ|| yajño'si tvaṃ suraśreṣṭha bhayānmāṃ parimocaya

"Save me, save me, O great Vishnu! You alone are our supreme guru; O best of gods, you are the sacrifice itself — deliver me from this fear."

Verse 43 (skanda.1.3.43)

दक्षेण प्रार्थ्य मानो हि जगाद मधुसूदनः॥ मया रक्षा विदातव्या भवतो नात्र संशयः

dakṣeṇa prārthya māno hi jagāda madhusūdanaḥ|| mayā rakṣā vidātavyā bhavato nātra saṃśayaḥ

Thus entreated by Daksha, Madhusudana replied: "I shall surely grant you protection; of this there is no doubt."

Verse 44 (skanda.1.3.44)

अपूज्या यत्र पूज्यंते पूजनीयो न पूज्यते॥ त्रीणी तत्र प्रवर्तंते दुर्भिक्षं त्वया धर्ममजानताः॥ ईश्वरावज्ञया सर्वं विफलं च भविष्यति

apūjyā yatra pūjyaṃte pūjanīyo na pūjyate|| trīṇī tatra pravartaṃte durbhikṣaṃ tvayā dharmamajānatāḥ|| īśvarāvajñayā sarvaṃ viphalaṃ ca bhaviṣyati

"Where the unworthy are honored and the worthy are not honored, three things arise there — O Daksha, ignorant of dharma, famine comes; and by contempt of the Lord everything becomes fruitless."

Verse 45 (skanda.1.3.45)

अपूज्या यत्र पूज्यं ते पूजनीयो न पूज्यते॥ त्रीणी तत्र प्रवर्तंते दुर्भिक्षं मरणं भयम्

apūjyā yatra pūjyaṃ te pūjanīyo na pūjyate|| trīṇī tatra pravartaṃte durbhikṣaṃ maraṇaṃ bhayam

"Where the unworthy are honored and the worthy are not honored, three things arise there — famine, death, and fear."

Verse 46 (skanda.1.3.46)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन माननीयो वृषध्वजः॥ अमानितान्महेशात्त्वां महद्भयमुपस्थितम्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena mānanīyo vṛṣadhvajaḥ|| amānitānmaheśāttvāṃ mahadbhayamupasthitam

"Therefore the bull-bannered one ought to have been honored with every effort; by dishonoring Mahesha, this great danger has now come upon you."

Verse 47 (skanda.1.3.47)

अधुनैव वयं सर्वे प्रभवो न भवामहे॥ भवतो दुर्न्नयेनेव नात्र कार्या विचारणा

adhunaiva vayaṃ sarve prabhavo na bhavāmahe|| bhavato durnnayeneva nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

"We ourselves are now powerless in this matter; it is through your own misconduct alone — there is nothing more to deliberate here."

Verse 48 (skanda.1.3.48)

विष्णोस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दक्षश्चिंतापरोऽभवत्॥ विविर्णवदनो भूत्वा तूष्णीमासीद्भुवि स्थितः

viṣṇostadvacanaṃ śrutvā dakṣaściṃtāparo'bhavat|| vivirṇavadano bhūtvā tūṣṇīmāsīdbhuvi sthitaḥ

Hearing Vishnu's words, Daksha grew anxious; his face turned pale, and he sat silently upon the ground.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.3.49)

वीरभद्रो महाबाहू रुद्रेणैव प्रचोदितः॥ काली कात्यायनीशाना चामुंडा मुंडमर्द्दिनी

vīrabhadro mahābāhū rudreṇaiva pracoditaḥ|| kālī kātyāyanīśānā cāmuṃḍā muṃḍamarddinī

Virabhadra of mighty arms, impelled by Rudra himself, came together with Kali, Katyayani, Ishana, Chamunda the slayer of Munda,

Verse 50 (skanda.1.3.50)

भद्रकाली तथा भद्रा त्वरिता वैष्णवी तथा॥ नवदुर्गादिसहितो भूतानां च गणो महान्

bhadrakālī tathā bhadrā tvaritā vaiṣṇavī tathā|| navadurgādisahito bhūtānāṃ ca gaṇo mahān

Bhadrakali, Bhadra, swift Vaishnavi, the Nine Durgas, and a great host of spirit-attendants as well.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.3.51)

शाकिनी डाकिनी चैव भूतप्रमथगुह्यकाः॥ तथैव योगिनीचक्रं चतुः षष्ट्या समन्वितम्

śākinī ḍākinī caiva bhūtapramathaguhyakāḥ|| tathaiva yoginīcakraṃ catuḥ ṣaṣṭyā samanvitam

Shakini, Dakini, the bhutas, pramathas, and guhyakas, and likewise the circle of sixty-four Yoginis, accompanied him.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.3.52)

निजन्मुः सहसा तत्र यज्ञवाटं महाप्रभम्॥ वीरभद्रसमेता सर्वे हरपराक्रमाः॥ दशबाहवस्त्रिनेत्रा जटिला रुद्रभूषणाः

nijanmuḥ sahasā tatra yajñavāṭaṃ mahāprabham|| vīrabhadrasametā sarve haraparākramāḥ|| daśabāhavastrinetrā jaṭilā rudrabhūṣaṇāḥ

All of them suddenly descended upon that magnificent sacrificial enclosure, together with Virabhadra — all of Hara's own might, ten-armed, three-eyed, matted-locked, adorned with Rudra's own ornaments.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.3.53)

पार्षदाः शंकरस्यैते सर्वे रुद्रस्वरूपिणः॥ पंचवक्त्रा नीलकंठाः सर्वे ते शस्त्रपाणयः

pārṣadāḥ śaṃkarasyaite sarve rudrasvarūpiṇaḥ|| paṃcavaktrā nīlakaṃṭhāḥ sarve te śastrapāṇayaḥ

All these attendants of Shankara were themselves of Rudra's own form — five-faced, blue-throated, all bearing weapons in their hands.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.3.54)

छत्रचामरसंवीताः सर्वे हरपराक्रमाः॥ दशबाहवस्त्रिनेत्रा जटिला रुद्रभूषणाः

chatracāmarasaṃvītāḥ sarve haraparākramāḥ|| daśabāhavastrinetrā jaṭilā rudrabhūṣaṇāḥ

Shaded with parasols and chowries, all of Hara's own might, ten-armed, three-eyed, matted-locked, adorned with Rudra's own ornaments.

Verse 55 (skanda.1.3.55)

अर्धचंद्रधराः सर्वे सर्वे चैव महौजसः॥ सर्वे ते वृषभारूढाः सर्वे ते वेषभूषणाः

ardhacaṃdradharāḥ sarve sarve caiva mahaujasaḥ|| sarve te vṛṣabhārūḍhāḥ sarve te veṣabhūṣaṇāḥ

All bearing the crescent moon, all of great splendor, all mounted upon bulls, all adorned in manifold attire.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.3.56)

सहस्रबाहुर्भुजगाधिपैर्वृतस्त्रिलोचनो भीमबलो भयावहः॥ एभिः समेतश्च तदा महात्मा स वीरभद्रोऽभिजगाम यज्ञम्

sahasrabāhurbhujagādhipairvṛtastrilocano bhīmabalo bhayāvahaḥ|| ebhiḥ sametaśca tadā mahātmā sa vīrabhadro'bhijagāma yajñam

Thousand-armed, surrounded by the lords of serpents, three-eyed, of terrible might, dreadful to behold — accompanied by all of these, the great soul Virabhadra advanced toward the sacrifice.

Verse 57 (skanda.1.3.57)

युग्यानां च सहस्रेण द्विप्रमाणेन स्यंदनम्॥ सिंहानां प्रयुतेनैव वाह्यमानं च तस्य तत्

yugyānāṃ ca sahasreṇa dvipramāṇena syaṃdanam|| siṃhānāṃ prayutenaiva vāhyamānaṃ ca tasya tat

His chariot, of double measure, was drawn by a thousand yoked steeds, and borne also by a hundred thousand lions.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.3.58)

तथैव दंशिताः सिंहा बहवः पार्श्वरक्षकाः॥ शार्दूला मकरा मत्स्या गजाश्चैव सहस्रशः॥ छत्राणि विविधान्येव चामराणि तथैव च

tathaiva daṃśitāḥ siṃhā bahavaḥ pārśvarakṣakāḥ|| śārdūlā makarā matsyā gajāścaiva sahasraśaḥ|| chatrāṇi vividhānyeva cāmarāṇi tathaiva ca

Likewise many armored lions guarded his flanks; tigers, crocodiles, fish, and elephants by the thousands; and manifold parasols and chowries —

Verse 59 (skanda.1.3.59)

मूर्द्धनिध्रियमाणानि सर्वतोग्राणि सर्वशः॥ ततो भेरीमहानादाः शंखाश्च विविधस्वनाः॥ पटहा गोमुखाश्चैव श्रृंगाणि विविधानि च

mūrddhanidhriyamāṇāni sarvatogrāṇi sarvaśaḥ|| tato bherīmahānādāḥ śaṃkhāśca vividhasvanāḥ|| paṭahā gomukhāścaiva śrṛṃgāṇi vividhāni ca

were held above every head, on every side; then came the great roar of kettledrums, conches of manifold sound, war-drums, gomukha-horns, and horns of every kind.

Verse 60 (skanda.1.3.60)

ततोऽवाद्यंत तान्येव घनानि सुषिराणि च॥ कलगानपराः सर्वे सर्वे मृदंगवादिनः

tato'vādyaṃta tānyeva ghanāni suṣirāṇi ca|| kalagānaparāḥ sarve sarve mṛdaṃgavādinaḥ

Then every kind of struck and blown instrument sounded together; all skilled in sweet song, and all playing the mridanga, were present there.

Verse 61 (skanda.1.3.61)

अनेकलास्यसंयुक्ता वीरभद्राग्रतोभवन्॥ रणवादित्रनिर्घोषैर्जगर्जुरमितौजसः

anekalāsyasaṃyuktā vīrabhadrāgratobhavan|| raṇavāditranirghoṣairjagarjuramitaujasaḥ

Many dancers, joined in manifold performance, went before Virabhadra; those of measureless might thundered with the roar of instruments of war.

Verse 62 (skanda.1.3.62)

तेन नादेन महता नादितं भुवनत्रयम्॥ एवं सर्वे समायाता गणा रुद्रप्रणोदिताः

tena nādena mahatā nāditaṃ bhuvanatrayam|| evaṃ sarve samāyātā gaṇā rudrapraṇoditāḥ

By that mighty roar the three worlds resounded. Thus all the ganas, impelled by Rudra, assembled together —

Verse 63 (skanda.1.3.63)

यज्ञवाटं च दक्षस्य विनाशार्थं प्रहारिणः॥ रजसा चाऽवृतं व्योम तमसा च वृता दिशः

yajñavāṭaṃ ca dakṣasya vināśārthaṃ prahāriṇaḥ|| rajasā cā'vṛtaṃ vyoma tamasā ca vṛtā diśaḥ

striking toward Daksha's sacrificial enclosure to destroy it; the sky was covered with dust, and the quarters wrapped in darkness.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.3.64)

सप्तद्वीपवती पृथ्वी चचाल साद्रिकानना॥ ते दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्य्यं लोकक्षयकरं तदा

saptadvīpavatī pṛthvī cacāla sādrikānanā|| te dṛṣṭvā mahadāścaryyaṃ lokakṣayakaraṃ tadā

The seven-continented earth, with its mountains and forests, shook; beholding that great, world-shattering wonder,

Verse 65 (skanda.1.3.65)

उत्तस्थुर्युगपत्सर्वे देवदैत्यनिशाचराः॥ ते वै ददृशुरायांतीं रुद्रसेना भयावहाम्

uttasthuryugapatsarve devadaityaniśācarāḥ|| te vai dadṛśurāyāṃtīṃ rudrasenā bhayāvahām

the gods, daityas, and night-wanderers all rose up together at once; they beheld Rudra's fearsome army approaching.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.3.66)

पृथ्वीं केचित्समायाता गगने केचिदागताः॥ दिशश्च प्रदिशश्चैव समावृत्य तथापरे

pṛthvīṃ kecitsamāyātā gagane kecidāgatāḥ|| diśaśca pradiśaścaiva samāvṛtya tathāpare

Some came upon the earth, some through the sky; and others surrounded the quarters and the intermediate directions.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.3.67)

अनंता ह्यक्षयाः सर्वे शूरा रुद्रसमा युधि॥ एवंभूतं च तत्सैन्यं रुद्रैश्च परिवारितम्॥ दृष्ट्वो चुर्विस्मिताः सर्वे यामोऽद्य शस्त्रपाणयः

anaṃtā hyakṣayāḥ sarve śūrā rudrasamā yudhi|| evaṃbhūtaṃ ca tatsainyaṃ rudraiśca parivāritam|| dṛṣṭvo curvismitāḥ sarve yāmo'dya śastrapāṇayaḥ

Endless, imperishable, all heroes equal to Rudra in battle — beholding that army thus arrayed and surrounded by the Rudras, all cried out in astonishment: "Let us go now too, weapons in hand!"

Verse 68 (skanda.1.3.68)

इंद्रो हि गजमारूढो मृगारूढः सदागतिः॥ यमो महिषमारूढो यमदंडसमन्वितः

iṃdro hi gajamārūḍho mṛgārūḍhaḥ sadāgatiḥ|| yamo mahiṣamārūḍho yamadaṃḍasamanvitaḥ

Indra mounted his elephant; the ever-moving Vayu mounted a deer; Yama mounted his buffalo, bearing the rod of Yama.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.3.69)

कुबेरः पुष्पकारूढः पाशी मकरमेव च॥ अग्निर्बस्तमारूढो निर्ऋतिः प्रेतमेव च

kuberaḥ puṣpakārūḍhaḥ pāśī makarameva ca|| agnirbastamārūḍho nirṛtiḥ pretameva ca

Kubera mounted the Pushpaka; the noose-bearing Varuna mounted his makara; Agni mounted a goat; and Nirriti mounted a preta.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.3.70)

तथान्ये सुरसंघाश्च यक्षचारणगुह्यकाः॥ आरुह्य वाहनान्येव स्वानिस्वानि प्रतिपिनः

tathānye surasaṃghāśca yakṣacāraṇaguhyakāḥ|| āruhya vāhanānyeva svānisvāni pratipinaḥ

Likewise other hosts of gods, yakshas, charanas, and guhyakas, each mounting his own particular vehicle, set forth eagerly.

Verse 71 (skanda.1.3.71)

स्वेषामुद्योगमालोक्य दक्षश्चाश्रुमुखस्ततः॥ दंडवत्पतितो भूमौ सर्वानेवाभ्यभाषत

sveṣāmudyogamālokya dakṣaścāśrumukhastataḥ|| daṃḍavatpatito bhūmau sarvānevābhyabhāṣata

Seeing their preparation for battle, Daksha's face grew wet with tears; falling prostrate on the ground like a rod, he spoke to them all —

Verse 72 (skanda.1.3.72)

युष्मद्बलेनैव मया यज्ञः प्रारंभितो महान्॥ सत्कर्मसिद्धये यूयं प्रमाणं सुमहाप्रभाः

yuṣmadbalenaiva mayā yajñaḥ prāraṃbhito mahān|| satkarmasiddhaye yūyaṃ pramāṇaṃ sumahāprabhāḥ

"By your strength alone have I begun this great sacrifice; O gods of great splendor, in the accomplishment of this good rite you alone are my support."

Verse 73 (skanda.1.3.73)

विष्णो त्वं कर्मणः साक्षाद्यज्ञानां परिपालकः॥ धर्मस्य वेदगर्भस्य ब्रह्मण्यस्त्वं च माधव

viṣṇo tvaṃ karmaṇaḥ sākṣādyajñānāṃ paripālakaḥ|| dharmasya vedagarbhasya brahmaṇyastvaṃ ca mādhava

"O Vishnu, you are directly the protector of ritual action, of sacrifices, devoted to dharma born of the Veda, and to the welfare of brahmins, O Madhava."

Verse 74 (skanda.1.3.74)

तस्माद्रक्षा विधातव्या यज्ञस्याऽस्य महाप्रभो॥ दक्षस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा उवाच मधुसूदनः

tasmādrakṣā vidhātavyā yajñasyā'sya mahāprabho|| dakṣasya vacanaṃ śrutvā uvāca madhusūdanaḥ

"Therefore, O great Lord, protection must be granted to this sacrifice." Hearing Daksha's words, Madhusudana replied —

Verse 75 (skanda.1.3.75)

मया रक्षा विधातव्या धर्मस्य परिपालने॥ तत्सत्यं तु त्वयोक्तं हि किं तु तस्य व्यतिक्रमः

mayā rakṣā vidhātavyā dharmasya paripālane|| tatsatyaṃ tu tvayoktaṃ hi kiṃ tu tasya vyatikramaḥ

"Protection ought indeed to be granted by me, in the maintenance of dharma; what you say is true — but consider its transgression."

Verse 76 (skanda.1.3.76)

यातस्त्वद्यैव यज्ञस्य यत्त्वयोक्तं सदाशिवम्॥ नैमिषेऽनिमिषक्षेत्रे तदा किं न स्मृतं त्वया

yātastvadyaiva yajñasya yattvayoktaṃ sadāśivam|| naimiṣe'nimiṣakṣetre tadā kiṃ na smṛtaṃ tvayā

"You went straight to your sacrifice today — but that which you were told regarding Sadashiva, in Naimisha, that field where even the gods do not blink, why did you not remember it?"

Verse 77 (skanda.1.3.77)

योऽयं रुद्रो महातेजा यज्ञरूपः सदाशिवः॥ यज्ञबाह्यः कृतो मूढ तच्च दुर्म्मत्रितं तव

yo'yaṃ rudro mahātejā yajñarūpaḥ sadāśivaḥ|| yajñabāhyaḥ kṛto mūḍha tacca durmmatritaṃ tava

"This very Rudra, of great splendor, who is Sadashiva, sacrifice itself in form — him, O fool, you excluded from the sacrifice; that was your evil counsel."

Verse 78 (skanda.1.3.78)

रुद्रकोपाच्च को ह्यत्र समर्थो रक्षणे तव॥ न पश्यामि च तं विप्र त्वां वै रक्षति दुर्म्मतिम्

rudrakopācca ko hyatra samartho rakṣaṇe tava|| na paśyāmi ca taṃ vipra tvāṃ vai rakṣati durmmatim

"From Rudra's wrath, who indeed here is capable of protecting you? O brahmin, I see none who could protect you, evil-minded as you are."

Verse 79 (skanda.1.3.79)

किं कर्म्म किमकर्म्मेति तन्न पश्यसि दुर्म्मते॥ समर्थं केवलं कर्मन भविष्यति सर्वदा

kiṃ karmma kimakarmmeti tanna paśyasi durmmate|| samarthaṃ kevalaṃ karmana bhaviṣyati sarvadā

"O you of evil understanding, you do not see what is action and what is inaction; action alone, by itself, shall never be sufficient."

Verse 80 (skanda.1.3.80)

सेश्वरं कर्म विद्ध्योतत्समर्थत्वेन जायते॥ न ह्यन्यः कर्म्मणो दाता ईश्वरेण विना भवेत्

seśvaraṃ karma viddhyotatsamarthatvena jāyate|| na hyanyaḥ karmmaṇo dātā īśvareṇa vinā bhavet

"Know that action performed together with the Lord alone becomes effective and bears fruit; apart from the Lord there can be no other giver of action's fruit."

Verse 81 (skanda.1.3.81)

ईश्वरस्य च ये भक्ताः शांतास्तद्गतमानसाः॥ कर्म्मणो हि फलं तेषां प्रयच्छति सदाशिवः

īśvarasya ca ye bhaktāḥ śāṃtāstadgatamānasāḥ|| karmmaṇo hi phalaṃ teṣāṃ prayacchati sadāśivaḥ

"To those devotees of the Lord who are peaceful, their minds fixed upon him alone, Sadashiva himself grants the fruit of their action."

Verse 82 (skanda.1.3.82)

केवलं कर्म चाश्रित्य निरीश्वरपरा जनाः॥ निरयं ते च गच्छंति कोटियज्ञशतैरपि

kevalaṃ karma cāśritya nirīśvaraparā janāḥ|| nirayaṃ te ca gacchaṃti koṭiyajñaśatairapi

"But people who, relying on action alone, give the Lord no regard, go to hell even with a hundred million sacrifices performed."

Verse 83 (skanda.1.3.83)

पुनः कर्ममयैः पाशैर्बद्धा जन्मनिजन्मनि॥ निरयेषु प्रपच्यंते केवलं कर्म्मरूपिणः

punaḥ karmamayaiḥ pāśairbaddhā janmanijanmani|| nirayeṣu prapacyaṃte kevalaṃ karmmarūpiṇaḥ

"Bound again and again, birth after birth, by fetters made of action, those devoted solely to the form of action are cooked repeatedly in the hells."