The Manifestation at Daksha's Sacrifice

Verse 1 (skanda.4.87.1)

।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। सर्वज्ञसूनो षड्वक्त्र सर्वार्थकुशल प्रभो ।। प्रादुर्भावं निशम्यैषां लिंगानां मुक्तिदायिनाम्

|| agastya uvāca || || sarvajñasūno ṣaḍvaktra sarvārthakuśala prabho || prādurbhāvaṁ niśamyaiṣāṁ liṁgānāṁ muktidāyinām

Agastya said: "O son of the omniscient one, six-faced lord, skilled in every matter — having heard the manifestation of these liberation-granting lingas —"

Verse 2 (skanda.4.87.2)

नितरां परितृप्तोस्मि सुधां पीत्वेव निर्जरः ।। ओंकारप्रमुखैर्लिंगैरिदमानंदकाननम्

nitarāṁ paritṛptosmi sudhāṁ pītveva nirjaraḥ || oṁkārapramukhairliṁgairidamānaṁdakānanam

"— I am completely satisfied, as if a god who has drunk nectar. This Anandavana, with the lingas beginning with Omkara —"

Verse 3 (skanda.4.87.3)

आनंदमेवजनयेदपि पापजुषामिह ।। परानंदमहं प्राप्तः श्रुत्वैतल्लिंगकीर्तनम्

ānaṁdamevajanayedapi pāpajuṣāmiha || parānaṁdamahaṁ prāptaḥ śrutvaitalliṁgakīrtanam

"— gives rise to bliss even for sinners here. I myself have attained supreme bliss, hearing this recitation of the lingas."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.87.4)

जीवन्मुक्तइवासं हि क्षेत्रतत्त्वश्रुतेरहम् ।। स्कंददक्षेश्वरादीनि लिंगानीह चतुर्दश ।। यान्युक्तानि समाचक्ष्व तत्प्रभावमशेषतः

jīvanmuktaivāsaṁ hi kṣetratattvaśruteraham || skaṁdadakṣeśvarādīni liṁgānīha caturdaśa || yānyuktāni samācakṣva tatprabhāvamaśeṣataḥ

"I feel as if liberated while yet alive, from hearing this truth of the sacred field. Tell me fully the glory of the fourteen lingas here, beginning with Skanda and Dakshesha, which you mentioned."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.87.5)

यो दक्षो गर्हयामास मध्ये देवसभं विभुम् ।। स कथं लिंगमीशस्य प्रत्यस्थापयदद्भुतम्

yo dakṣo garhayāmāsa madhye devasabhaṁ vibhum || sa kathaṁ liṁgamīśasya pratyasthāpayadadbhutam

"That Daksha who reviled the mighty Lord in the midst of the assembly of gods — how did he come to establish this wondrous linga of the Lord?"

Verse 6 (skanda.4.87.6)

इति श्रुत्वा शिखिरथः कुंभयोनेरुदीरितम् ।। सूत संकथयामास दक्षेश्वर समुद्भवम्

iti śrutvā śikhirathaḥ kuṁbhayonerudīritam || sūta saṁkathayāmāsa dakṣeśvara samudbhavam

Hearing this spoken by the jar-born one, Skanda, O Suta, related the origin of Dakshesha.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.87.7)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। आकर्णय मुने वच्मि कथां कल्मषहारिणीम् ।। पुरश्चरणकामोसौ दक्षः काशीं समाययौ

|| skaṁda uvāca || ākarṇaya mune vacmi kathāṁ kalmaṣahāriṇīm || puraścaraṇakāmosau dakṣaḥ kāśīṁ samāyayau

Skanda said: "Listen, O sage, I shall tell the story that removes sin. That Daksha, desiring to perform purashcharana, came to Kashi,"

Verse 8 (skanda.4.87.8)

छागवक्त्रो विरूपास्यो दधीचि परिधिक्कृतः ।। प्रायश्चित्तविधानार्थं सूपदिष्टः स्वयंभुवा

chāgavaktro virūpāsyo dadhīci paridhikkṛtaḥ || prāyaścittavidhānārthaṁ sūpadiṣṭaḥ svayaṁbhuvā

"— goat-faced, his countenance disfigured, mocked by Dadhichi, having been well instructed by the Self-born one on the means of atonement."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.87.9)

एकदा देवदेवस्य सेवार्थं शशिमौलिनः ।। कैलासमगमद्विष्णुः पद्मयोनिपुरस्कृतः

ekadā devadevasya sevārthaṁ śaśimaulinaḥ || kailāsamagamadviṣṇuḥ padmayonipuraskṛtaḥ

Once, for the sake of serving the god of gods, the moon-crested one, Vishnu went to Kailasa, with the lotus-born one leading the way.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.87.10)

इंद्रादयो लोकपाला विश्वेदेवा मरुद्गणाः ।। आदित्या वसवो रुद्राः साध्या विद्याधरोरगाः

iṁdrādayo lokapālā viśvedevā marudgaṇāḥ || ādityā vasavo rudrāḥ sādhyā vidyādharoragāḥ

Indra and the other guardians of the world, the Vishvedevas, the Marut hosts, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Vidyadharas, the serpents,

Verse 11 (skanda.4.87.11)

ऋषयोऽप्सरसोयक्षा गंधर्वाः सिद्धचारणाः ।। तैर्नतो देवदेवेशः परिहृष्टतनूरुहैः

ṛṣayo'psarasoyakṣā gaṁdharvāḥ siddhacāraṇāḥ || tairnato devadeveśaḥ parihṛṣṭatanūruhaiḥ

the sages, the apsaras, the yakshas, the gandharvas, the siddhas and charanas — by them, their bodies thrilled with joy, the Lord of gods was bowed to,

Verse 12 (skanda.4.87.12)

स्तुतश्च नाना स्तुतिभिः शंभुनापि कृतादराः ।। विविशुश्चासनश्रेण्यां तन्मुखासक्तदृष्टयः

stutaśca nānā stutibhiḥ śaṁbhunāpi kṛtādarāḥ || viviśuścāsanaśreṇyāṁ tanmukhāsaktadṛṣṭayaḥ

and praised with various hymns; and, honoured in turn by Shambhu, they took their seats in rows, their gaze fixed upon his face.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.87.13)

अथ तेषूपविष्टेषु शंभुना विष्टरश्रवाः ।। कृतहस्तपरिस्पर्शमानः पृष्टो महादरम्

atha teṣūpaviṣṭeṣu śaṁbhunā viṣṭaraśravāḥ || kṛtahastaparisparśamānaḥ pṛṣṭo mahādaram

Then, as they sat, Shambhu, touching the far-famed one with his hand, asked him, with great respect:

Verse 14 (skanda.4.87.14)

श्रीवत्सलांछन हरे दैत्यवंशदवानल ।। कच्चित्पालयितुं शक्तिस्त्रिलोकीमस्त्यकुंठिता

śrīvatsalāṁchana hare daityavaṁśadavānala || kaccitpālayituṁ śaktistrilokīmastyakuṁṭhitā

"O Hari, marked with Shrivatsa, forest-fire to the race of demons — I trust your power to protect the three worlds remains unimpeded?"

Verse 15 (skanda.4.87.15)

दितिजान्दनुजान्दुष्टान्कच्चिच्छासि रणांगणे ।। अपि कुद्धान्महीदेवान्मामिव प्रतिमन्यसे

ditijāndanujānduṣṭānkaccicchāsi raṇāṁgaṇe || api kuddhānmahīdevānmāmiva pratimanyase

"Do you keep the wicked sons of Diti and Danu in check on the battlefield? And do you regard even angry brahmins with the same honour as you would me?"

Verse 16 (skanda.4.87.16)

बाधया रहिता गावः कच्चित्संति महीतले ।। स्त्रियः संति हि सुश्रीकाः पतिव्रतपरायणाः

bādhayā rahitā gāvaḥ kaccitsaṁti mahītale || striyaḥ saṁti hi suśrīkāḥ pativrataparāyaṇāḥ

"Are the cows on earth free from harassment? Are women there of good grace, devoted to their husbands?"

Verse 17 (skanda.4.87.17)

विधियज्ञाः प्रवर्तंते पृथिव्यां बहुदक्षिणाः ।। निराबाधं तपः कच्चिदस्ति शश्वत्तपस्विनाम्

vidhiyajñāḥ pravartaṁte pṛthivyāṁ bahudakṣiṇāḥ || nirābādhaṁ tapaḥ kaccidasti śaśvattapasvinām

"Do the sacrifices ordained by scripture, rich in gifts, still proceed on earth? Is the austerity of ascetics forever free of hindrance?"

Verse 18 (skanda.4.87.18)

निष्प्रत्यूहं पठंत्येव सांगान्वेदान्द्विजोत्तमाः ।। महीपालाः प्रजाः कच्चित्पांति त्वमिवकेशव

niṣpratyūhaṁ paṭhaṁtyeva sāṁgānvedāndvijottamāḥ || mahīpālāḥ prajāḥ kaccitpāṁti tvamivakeśava

"Do the best of brahmins still recite the Vedas with their auxiliary texts, unhindered? And do kings, O Keshava, protect their subjects as you yourself do?"

Verse 19 (skanda.4.87.19)

स्वेषु स्वेषु च धर्मेषु कच्चिद्वर्णाश्रमास्तथा ।। निष्ठावंतो हि तिष्ठंति प्रहृष्टेंद्रियमानसाः

sveṣu sveṣu ca dharmeṣu kaccidvarṇāśramāstathā || niṣṭhāvaṁto hi tiṣṭhaṁti prahṛṣṭeṁdriyamānasāḥ

"And do the classes and stages of life remain steadfast, each in its own dharma, their senses and minds filled with joy?"

Verse 20 (skanda.4.87.20)

धूर्जटिः परिपृछ्येति हृष्टं वैकुंठनायकम्। ब्रह्माणं चापि पप्रच्छ ब्राह्मं तेजः समेधते

dhūrjaṭiḥ paripṛchyeti hṛṣṭaṁ vaikuṁṭhanāyakam| brahmāṇaṁ cāpi papraccha brāhmaṁ tejaḥ samedhate

Having thus questioned the delighted lord of Vaikuntha, Dhurjati then asked Brahma too: "Does the radiance of Brahman continue to flourish?"

Verse 21 (skanda.4.87.21)

सत्यमस्खलितं कच्चिदस्ति त्रैलोक्यमंडपे ।। तीर्थावरोधो न क्वापि केनचित्क्रियते विधे

satyamaskhalitaṁ kaccidasti trailokyamaṁḍape || tīrthāvarodho na kvāpi kenacitkriyate vidhe

"Does truth remain unbroken in the pavilion of the three worlds? Is the blocking of any tirtha anywhere never done by anyone, O ordainer?"

Verse 22 (skanda.4.87.22)

इंद्रादयः सुराः कच्चित्स्वेषु स्वेषु पुरेष्वहो ।। राज्यं प्रशासति स्वस्थाः कृष्णदोर्दंडपालिताः

iṁdrādayaḥ surāḥ kaccitsveṣu sveṣu pureṣvaho || rājyaṁ praśāsati svasthāḥ kṛṣṇadordaṁḍapālitāḥ

"Do Indra and the other gods, govern their own realms peacefully, each in his own city, protected by the mighty arm of Krishna?"

Verse 23 (skanda.4.87.23)

प्रत्येकं परिपृच्छयेशः सर्वानित्थं कृतादरान् ।। पृष्ट्वा गमनकार्यं च तेषां कृत्वा मनोरथान्

pratyekaṁ paripṛcchayeśaḥ sarvānitthaṁ kṛtādarān || pṛṣṭvā gamanakāryaṁ ca teṣāṁ kṛtvā manorathān

Having thus questioned each of them, with due respect, and having asked about their errands, and having granted their heart's desires,

Verse 24 (skanda.4.87.24)

विससर्जाथ तान्सर्वान्देवः सौधं समाविशत् ।। गतेष्वथ च देवेषु स्वस्व धिष्ण्येषु हृष्टवत्

visasarjātha tānsarvāndevaḥ saudhaṁ samāviśat || gateṣvatha ca deveṣu svasva dhiṣṇyeṣu hṛṣṭavat

the Lord dismissed them all, and entered his own mansion. And when the gods had gone, delighted, each to his own seat —

Verse 25 (skanda.4.87.25)

मध्ये मार्गं स चिंतोभूद्दक्षः सत्याः पिता तदा ।। अन्यदेवसमानं स मानं प्राप न चाधिकम्

madhye mārgaṁ sa ciṁtobhūddakṣaḥ satyāḥ pitā tadā || anyadevasamānaṁ sa mānaṁ prāpa na cādhikam

"— Daksha, the father of Sati, then became troubled with worry, midway on his path, for he had received only equal honour to the other gods, and no more."

Verse 26 (skanda.4.87.26)

अतीव क्षुब्धचित्तोभून्मंदराघाततोऽब्धिवत् ।। उवाच च मनस्येतन्महाक्रोधरयांधदृक्

atīva kṣubdhacittobhūnmaṁdarāghātato'bdhivat || uvāca ca manasyetanmahākrodharayāṁdhadṛk

He became exceedingly agitated in mind, like the ocean churned by the blow of Mount Mandara; and, his gaze blinded by the surge of great anger, he said within his mind:

Verse 27 (skanda.4.87.27)

अतीवगर्वितो जातः सती मे प्राप्य कन्यकाम् ।। कस्यचिन्नाप्यसौ प्रायो न कोस्यापि क्वचित्पुनः

atīvagarvito jātaḥ satī me prāpya kanyakām || kasyacinnāpyasau prāyo na kosyāpi kvacitpunaḥ

"He has become excessively proud, having obtained my daughter Sati; he seems to have no regard for anyone, nor any equal anywhere."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.87.28)

किं वंश्यस्त्वेष किं गोत्रः किं देशीयः किमात्मकः ।। किं वृत्तिः किं समाचारो विपा(षा?)दी वृषवाहनः

kiṁ vaṁśyastveṣa kiṁ gotraḥ kiṁ deśīyaḥ kimātmakaḥ || kiṁ vṛttiḥ kiṁ samācāro vipā(ṣā?)dī vṛṣavāhanaḥ

"What lineage does he have, what gotra, what country, what nature? What livelihood, what conduct, this ash-smeared, bull-riding one?"

Verse 29 (skanda.4.87.29)

न प्रायशस्तपस्व्येष क्व तपः क्वास्त्रधारणम् ।। न गृहस्थेषु गण्योसौ श्मशाननिलयो यतः

na prāyaśastapasvyeṣa kva tapaḥ kvāstradhāraṇam || na gṛhastheṣu gaṇyosau śmaśānanilayo yataḥ

"He is hardly even an ascetic — where is his austerity, and where his bearing of weapons? Nor can he be counted among householders, since he dwells in the cremation-ground."

Verse 30 (skanda.4.87.30)

असौ न ब्रह्मचारी स्यात्कृतपाणिग्रह स्थितिः।। वानप्रस्थ्यं कुतश्चास्मिन्नैश्वर्यमदमोहिते

asau na brahmacārī syātkṛtapāṇigraha sthitiḥ|| vānaprasthyaṁ kutaścāsminnaiśvaryamadamohite

"He cannot be a celibate student, being one who has taken a wife; and how could there be the forest-dweller's stage in one deluded by the pride of his own power?"

Verse 31 (skanda.4.87.31)

न ब्राह्मणोभवत्येष यतो वेदो न वेत्त्यमुम् ।। शस्त्रास्त्रधारणात्प्रायः क्षत्रियः स्यान्न सोप्ययम्

na brāhmaṇobhavatyeṣa yato vedo na vettyamum || śastrāstradhāraṇātprāyaḥ kṣatriyaḥ syānna sopyayam

"He is not a brahmin, for the Veda does not know him; nor is he a kshatriya, since though he bears weapons, he lacks the true nature of one."

Verse 32 (skanda.4.87.32)

क्षतात्संत्राणनात्क्षत्रं तत्क्वास्मिन्प्रलयप्रिये ।। वैश्योपि न भवेदेष सदा निर्धनचेष्टनः

kṣatātsaṁtrāṇanātkṣatraṁ tatkvāsminpralayapriye || vaiśyopi na bhavedeṣa sadā nirdhanaceṣṭanaḥ

"The very name kshatriya comes from protecting from harm — where is that in this lover of destruction? Nor is he a vaishya, ever behaving as if penniless."

Verse 33 (skanda.4.87.33)

शूद्रोपि न भवेत्प्रायो नागयज्ञोपवीतवान् ।। एवं वर्णाश्रमातीतः कोसौ सम्यङ्नकीर्त्यते

śūdropi na bhavetprāyo nāgayajñopavītavān || evaṁ varṇāśramātītaḥ kosau samyaṅnakīrtyate

"Nor could he really be a shudra, wearing a serpent as his sacred thread. Thus, being beyond the four castes and stages of life, who indeed can he properly be called?"

Verse 34 (skanda.4.87.34)

सर्वः प्रकृत्या ज्ञायेत स्थाणुः प्रकृतिवर्जितः ।। प्रायशः पुरुषोनासावर्धनारीवपुर्यतः

sarvaḥ prakṛtyā jñāyeta sthāṇuḥ prakṛtivarjitaḥ || prāyaśaḥ puruṣonāsāvardhanārīvapuryataḥ

"Everyone else is known by their nature; but this Sthanu is devoid of ordinary nature. Nor can he even really be called a man, since his form is half woman."

Verse 35 (skanda.4.87.35)

योषापि न भवेदेष यतोसौ श्मश्रुलाननः ।। नपुंसकोपि न भवेल्लिंगमस्ययतोर्च्यते

yoṣāpi na bhavedeṣa yatosau śmaśrulānanaḥ || napuṁsakopi na bhavelliṁgamasyayatorcyate

"Nor can he be a woman, since his face is bearded; nor is he a eunuch either, since his linga is worshipped."

Verse 36 (skanda.4.87.36)

बालोपि न भवत्येष यतोऽयं बहुवार्षिकः।। अनादिवृद्धो लोकेषु गीयते चोग्र एष यत्

bālopi na bhavatyeṣa yato'yaṁ bahuvārṣikaḥ|| anādivṛddho lokeṣu gīyate cogra eṣa yat

"Nor is he a child, for he is of countless years; he is sung of in the worlds as without beginning, yet already old, and as fierce."

Verse 37 (skanda.4.87.37)

अतो युवत्वं संभाव्यं नात्र नूनं चिरंतने ।। वृद्धोऽपि न भवत्येष जरामरणवर्जितः

ato yuvatvaṁ saṁbhāvyaṁ nātra nūnaṁ ciraṁtane || vṛddho'pi na bhavatyeṣa jarāmaraṇavarjitaḥ

"So youth cannot be attributed to him, an eternal being; nor is he old, since he is free from old age and death."

Verse 38 (skanda.4.87.38)

ब्रह्मादीन्संहरेत्प्रांते तथापि च न पातकी ।। पुण्यलेशोपि नास्त्यस्मिन्ब्रह्ममौलिच्छिदिक्रुधा

brahmādīnsaṁharetprāṁte tathāpi ca na pātakī || puṇyaleśopi nāstyasminbrahmamaulicchidikrudhā

"He will destroy even Brahma and the rest at the end of time, and yet is called sinless; and not a trace of merit is in him, who in his rage cut off the very head of Brahma."

Verse 39 (skanda.4.87.39)

अस्थिनेपथ्यवति च क्व शुचित्वं विवाससि ।। किं बहूक्तेन नो किंचिज्ज्ञायतेऽस्य विचेष्टितम्

asthinepathyavati ca kva śucitvaṁ vivāsasi || kiṁ bahūktena no kiṁcijjñāyate'sya viceṣṭitam

"How can there be any purity in one adorned with bones, one who goes without clothing? What need to say more — nothing at all can be understood of his behaviour."

Verse 40 (skanda.4.87.40)

अहो धार्ष्ट्यं महद्दृष्टं जटिलस्याद्य चाद्भुतम् ।। यदासनान्नोत्थितोसौ दृष्ट्वा मां श्वशुरं गुरुम्

aho dhārṣṭyaṁ mahaddṛṣṭaṁ jaṭilasyādya cādbhutam || yadāsanānnotthitosau dṛṣṭvā māṁ śvaśuraṁ gurum

"Ah, what great and wondrous audacity I have seen today in this matted-haired one — that he did not even rise from his seat upon seeing me, his father-in-law and elder!"

Verse 41 (skanda.4.87.41)

एवंभूता भवंत्येव मातापितृविवर्जिताः ।। निर्गुणा अकुलीनाश्च कर्मभ्रष्टा निरंकुशाः

evaṁbhūtā bhavaṁtyeva mātāpitṛvivarjitāḥ || nirguṇā akulīnāśca karmabhraṣṭā niraṁkuśāḥ

"Such indeed are those without mother or father — devoid of virtue, of low birth, fallen from proper conduct, unrestrained,"

Verse 42 (skanda.4.87.42)

स्वच्छंदचारिणोऽनाथाः सर्वत्र स्वाभिमानिनः ।। अकिंचना अपिप्रायस्तथापीश्वरमानिनः

svacchaṁdacāriṇo'nāthāḥ sarvatra svābhimāninaḥ || akiṁcanā apiprāyastathāpīśvaramāninaḥ

"wandering as they please, without a protector, self-conceited everywhere; owning almost nothing, yet still thinking themselves lords."

Verse 43 (skanda.4.87.43)

जामातॄणां स्वभावोयं प्रायशो गर्वभाजनम् ।। किंचिदैश्वयर्मासाद्य भवत्येव न संशयः

jāmātṝṇāṁ svabhāvoyaṁ prāyaśo garvabhājanam || kiṁcidaiśvayarmāsādya bhavatyeva na saṁśayaḥ

"This is generally the nature of sons-in-law — a vessel of pride; having gained even a little power, this is certainly what results."

Verse 44 (skanda.4.87.44)

द्विजराजः स गर्विष्ठो रोहिणीप्रेमनिर्भरः ।। कृत्तिकादिषु चास्नेही मया शप्तः क्षयीकृतः

dvijarājaḥ sa garviṣṭho rohiṇīpremanirbharaḥ || kṛttikādiṣu cāsnehī mayā śaptaḥ kṣayīkṛtaḥ

"That proud king of the twice-born, utterly full of love for Rohini, and cold toward Krittika and the rest — I have cursed him, and made him wane."

Verse 45 (skanda.4.87.45)

अस्याहं गर्वसर्वस्वं हरिष्याम्येव शूलिनः ।। यथावमानितश्चाहमनेनास्य गृहं गतः

asyāhaṁ garvasarvasvaṁ hariṣyāmyeva śūlinaḥ || yathāvamānitaścāhamanenāsya gṛhaṁ gataḥ

"So too shall I take away the very sum of that trident-bearer's pride. Just as I have been dishonoured by him, when I came to his house —"

Verse 46 (skanda.4.87.46)

तथास्याहं करिष्यामि मानहानिं च सर्वतः ।। संप्रधार्येति बहुशः स तु दक्षः प्रजापतिः

tathāsyāhaṁ kariṣyāmi mānahāniṁ ca sarvataḥ || saṁpradhāryeti bahuśaḥ sa tu dakṣaḥ prajāpatiḥ

"— so shall I bring about his loss of honour from every side." Having resolved this again and again, that Daksha, the Prajapati,

Verse 47 (skanda.4.87.47)

प्राप्य स्वभवनं देवानाजुहाव सवासवान् ।। अहं यियक्षुर्यूयं मे यज्ञसाहाय्यकारिणः

prāpya svabhavanaṁ devānājuhāva savāsavān || ahaṁ yiyakṣuryūyaṁ me yajñasāhāyyakāriṇaḥ

having reached his own abode, summoned the gods, Indra among them: "I wish to perform a sacrifice; you shall be my helpers in this sacrifice."

Verse 48 (skanda.4.87.48)

भवंतु यज्ञसंभारानानयंतु त्वरान्विताः ।। श्वेतद्वीपमथो गत्वा चक्रे चक्रिणमच्युतम्

bhavaṁtu yajñasaṁbhārānānayaṁtu tvarānvitāḥ || śvetadvīpamatho gatvā cakre cakriṇamacyutam

"Let them swiftly bring the requisites of the sacrifice." Then, going to Shvetadvipa, he made the discus-bearing Achyuta —

Verse 49 (skanda.4.87.49)

महाक्रतूपद्रष्टारं यज्ञपूरुषमेव च ।। तस्यर्त्विजोभवन्सर्व ऋषयो ब्रह्मवादिनः

mahākratūpadraṣṭāraṁ yajñapūruṣameva ca || tasyartvijobhavansarva ṛṣayo brahmavādinaḥ

— the overseer of that great sacrifice, and the very Person of the sacrifice; and all the Brahman-declaring sages became his officiating priests.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.87.50)

प्रावर्तत ततस्तस्य दक्षस्य च महाध्वरः ।। दृष्ट्वा देवनिकायांश्च तस्मिन्दक्ष महाध्वरे

prāvartata tatastasya dakṣasya ca mahādhvaraḥ || dṛṣṭvā devanikāyāṁśca tasmindakṣa mahādhvare

Then that great sacrifice of Daksha began. Beholding the hosts of gods gathered at that great sacrifice of Daksha —

Verse 51 (skanda.4.87.51)

अनीश्वरांस्ततो वेधा व्याजं कृत्वा गृहं ययौ ।। दधीचिरथ संवीक्ष्य सर्वांस्त्रैलोक्यवासिनः

anīśvarāṁstato vedhā vyājaṁ kṛtvā gṛhaṁ yayau || dadhīciratha saṁvīkṣya sarvāṁstrailokyavāsinaḥ

"— without their lord present — the Creator then, making some excuse, went home. And Dadhichi, seeing all the dwellers of the three worlds"

Verse 52 (skanda.4.87.52)

दक्षयज्ञे समायातान्सतीश्वरविवर्जितान् ।। प्राप्तसंमानसंभारान्वासोलंकृतिपूर्वकम्

dakṣayajñe samāyātānsatīśvaravivarjitān || prāptasaṁmānasaṁbhārānvāsolaṁkṛtipūrvakam

gathered at Daksha's sacrifice, but without Sati's lord, receiving abundant honours, garments, and ornaments,

Verse 53 (skanda.4.87.53)

दक्षस्य हि शुभोदर्कमिच्छन्प्रोवाच चेति वै ।। ।। दधीचिरुवाच ।। दक्षप्रजापते दक्ष साक्षाद्धातृस्वरूपधृक्

dakṣasya hi śubhodarkamicchanprovāca ceti vai || || dadhīciruvāca || dakṣaprajāpate dakṣa sākṣāddhātṛsvarūpadhṛk

wishing good outcome for Daksha, said this: Dadhichi said: "O Daksha, Prajapati, you who bear the very form of the Creator himself,"

Verse 54 (skanda.4.87.54)

न चास्ति तव सामर्थ्यं क्वापि कस्यापि निश्चितम् ।। यादृशः क्रतुसंभारस्तव चेह समीक्ष्यते

na cāsti tava sāmarthyaṁ kvāpi kasyāpi niścitam || yādṛśaḥ kratusaṁbhārastava ceha samīkṣyate

"— there is certainly no one anywhere whose power could match yours; such is the abundance of your sacrificial preparations seen here."

Verse 55 (skanda.4.87.55)

न तादृङ्नेदसि प्रायः क्वापि ज्ञातो महामते ।। क्रतुस्तु नैव कर्तव्यो नास्ति क्रतुसमो रिपुः

na tādṛṅnedasi prāyaḥ kvāpi jñāto mahāmate || kratustu naiva kartavyo nāsti kratusamo ripuḥ

"Nothing quite like it has ever been known anywhere, O great-minded one. And yet — a sacrifice like this should not be performed at all; there is no enemy equal to a flawed sacrifice."

Verse 56 (skanda.4.87.56)

कर्तव्यश्चेत्तदाकार्यः स्याच्चेत्संपत्ति रीदृशी ।। साक्षादग्निः स्वयं कुंडे साक्षादिंद्रादिदेवताः

kartavyaścettadākāryaḥ syāccetsaṁpatti rīdṛśī || sākṣādagniḥ svayaṁ kuṁḍe sākṣādiṁdrādidevatāḥ

"If it must indeed be performed, then let it be done such that this very wealth is fitting: let Agni himself directly be in the fire-pit, let Indra and the other gods be present in person,"

Verse 57 (skanda.4.87.57)

साक्षाच्च सर्वे मंत्रा वै साक्षाद्यज्ञपुमानसौ ।। आचार्यपदवीमेष देवाचार्यः स्वयं चरेत् ।। साक्षाद्ब्रह्मा स्वयं चैष भृगुर्वै कर्मकांडवित्

sākṣācca sarve maṁtrā vai sākṣādyajñapumānasau || ācāryapadavīmeṣa devācāryaḥ svayaṁ caret || sākṣādbrahmā svayaṁ caiṣa bhṛgurvai karmakāṁḍavit

"let all the mantras themselves be present, let the very Person of the sacrifice himself be here; let Brihaspati, the teacher of the gods, himself take the position of officiant; let Brahma himself be here, and Bhrigu too, knower of ritual action,"

Verse 58 (skanda.4.87.58)

अयं पूषा भगस्त्वेष इयं देवी सरस्वती ।। एते च सर्वदिक्पाला यज्ञरक्षाकृतः स्वयम्

ayaṁ pūṣā bhagastveṣa iyaṁ devī sarasvatī || ete ca sarvadikpālā yajñarakṣākṛtaḥ svayam

"let this be Pusha, this Bhaga, this the goddess Sarasvati, and let all these guardians of the directions themselves be here as protectors of the sacrifice."

Verse 59 (skanda.4.87.59)

त्वं च दीक्षां शुभां प्राप्तो देव्या च शतरूपया ।। जामाता त्वेष ते धर्मः पत्नीभिर्दशभिः सह

tvaṁ ca dīkṣāṁ śubhāṁ prāpto devyā ca śatarūpayā || jāmātā tveṣa te dharmaḥ patnībhirdaśabhiḥ saha

"You yourself have received the auspicious initiation together with the goddess Shatarupa; and here is your son-in-law Dharma, with his ten wives —"

Verse 60 (skanda.4.87.60)

स्वयमेव हि कुर्वीत धर्मकार्यं प्रयत्नतः ।। ओषधीनामयं नाथस्तव जामातृषूत्तमः

svayameva hi kurvīta dharmakāryaṁ prayatnataḥ || oṣadhīnāmayaṁ nāthastava jāmātṛṣūttamaḥ

"— who shall himself diligently perform the tasks of dharma. And this excellent one among your sons-in-law is the lord of the medicinal herbs,"

Verse 61 (skanda.4.87.61)

सप्तविंशतिभिः सार्धं पत्नीभिस्तव कार्यकृत् ।। ओषधीः पूरयेत्सर्वा द्विजराजो महासुधीः

saptaviṁśatibhiḥ sārdhaṁ patnībhistava kāryakṛt || oṣadhīḥ pūrayetsarvā dvijarājo mahāsudhīḥ

"— who, together with his twenty-seven wives, shall do your work; that great, wise king of the twice-born shall provide all the necessary herbs."

Verse 62 (skanda.4.87.62)

दीक्षितो राजसूयस्य दत्तत्रैलोक्यदक्षिणः ।। मारीचः कश्यपश्चासौ प्रजापतिषु सत्तमः ।। त्रयोदशमिताभिश्च भार्याभिस्तव कार्यकृत्

dīkṣito rājasūyasya dattatrailokyadakṣiṇaḥ || mārīcaḥ kaśyapaścāsau prajāpatiṣu sattamaḥ || trayodaśamitābhiśca bhāryābhistava kāryakṛt

"That best of Prajapatis, Kashyapa, son of Marichi, initiated into the Rajasuya, who has given the three worlds themselves as dakshina, shall, together with his thirteen wives, perform your work —"

Verse 63 (skanda.4.87.63)

हविः कामदुघा सूते कल्पवृक्षः समित्कुशान् ।। दारुपात्राणि सर्वाणि शकटं मंडपादिकम्

haviḥ kāmadughā sūte kalpavṛkṣaḥ samitkuśān || dārupātrāṇi sarvāṇi śakaṭaṁ maṁḍapādikam

"— the wish-fulfilling cow shall yield the ghee-offering, the wish-fulfilling tree the sacred fuel-wood and kusha grass, and all the wooden vessels, carts, pavilions, and the like —"

Verse 64 (skanda.4.87.64)

विश्वकर्माप्यलंकारान्कुरुतेभ्यागतर्त्विजाम् ।। वसूनि चाऽपि वासांसि वसवोष्टौ ददत्यपि

viśvakarmāpyalaṁkārānkurutebhyāgatartvijām || vasūni cā'pi vāsāṁsi vasavoṣṭau dadatyapi

"Vishvakarma himself shall fashion the ornaments for the priests who have come; and the eight Vasus too shall give wealth and garments."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.87.65)

स्वयंलक्ष्मीरलंकुर्याद्यावै चात्र सुवासिनीः

svayaṁlakṣmīralaṁkuryādyāvai cātra suvāsinīḥ

Lakshmi herself shall personally adorn the married women present here.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.87.66)

सर्वे सुखाय मे दक्ष वीक्षमाणस्य सर्वतः ।। एकं दुःखाकरोत्येव यत्त्वं विस्मृतवानसि

sarve sukhāya me dakṣa vīkṣamāṇasya sarvataḥ || ekaṁ duḥkhākarotyeva yattvaṁ vismṛtavānasi

"All this, O Daksha, seeing it from every side, would give me joy — but for one thing alone that causes me sorrow: that which you have forgotten."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.87.67)

जीवहीनो यथा देहो भूषितोपि न शोभते ।। तथेश्वरं विना यज्ञः श्मशानमिव लक्ष्यते

jīvahīno yathā deho bhūṣitopi na śobhate || tatheśvaraṁ vinā yajñaḥ śmaśānamiva lakṣyate

"Just as a body without life, though adorned, does not shine, so too a sacrifice without the Lord looks like a mere cremation-ground."

Verse 68 (skanda.4.87.68)

इत्थं दधीचिवचनं श्रुत्वा दक्षः प्रजापतिः ।। भृशं जज्वाल कोपेन हविषा कृष्णवर्त्मवत्

itthaṁ dadhīcivacanaṁ śrutvā dakṣaḥ prajāpatiḥ || bhṛśaṁ jajvāla kopena haviṣā kṛṣṇavartmavat

Hearing these words of Dadhichi, Daksha the Prajapati blazed up violently with anger, like fire fed with ghee.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.87.69)

पूर्वस्तुत्याति संहृष्टो दृष्टो योसौ दधीचिना ।। स एव चापि कोपाग्निमुद्वमन्वीक्षितो मुखात्

pūrvastutyāti saṁhṛṣṭo dṛṣṭo yosau dadhīcinā || sa eva cāpi kopāgnimudvamanvīkṣito mukhāt

That very Daksha, whom Dadhichi had seen a moment before delighted by his praise, was now seen belching the fire of rage from his very mouth.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.87.70)

प्रत्युवाचाथ तं विप्रं वेपमानांगयष्टिकः ।। दक्षः प्रजापती रोषाज्जिघांसुरिव तं द्विजम्

pratyuvācātha taṁ vipraṁ vepamānāṁgayaṣṭikaḥ || dakṣaḥ prajāpatī roṣājjighāṁsuriva taṁ dvijam

Then Daksha the Prajapati, his slender body trembling with rage, replied to that brahmin, as if wishing to kill him:

Verse 71 (skanda.4.87.71)

।। दक्ष उवाच ।। ।। ब्राह्मणोसि दधीचे त्वं किं करोमि तवात्र वै ।। दीक्षामहमहो प्राप्तः कर्तुं नायाति किंचन

|| dakṣa uvāca || || brāhmaṇosi dadhīce tvaṁ kiṁ karomi tavātra vai || dīkṣāmahamaho prāptaḥ kartuṁ nāyāti kiṁcana

Daksha said: "You are a brahmin, Dadhichi — what can I do about you here? I have already taken the sacrificial initiation; nothing more can be done."

Verse 72 (skanda.4.87.72)

भवान्केन समाहूतो यदत्रागान्महाजडः ।। आगतोपि हि केन त्वं पृष्ट इत्थं प्रब्रवीषि यत्

bhavānkena samāhūto yadatrāgānmahājaḍaḥ || āgatopi hi kena tvaṁ pṛṣṭa itthaṁ prabravīṣi yat

"Who invited you, that you came here at all, O great fool? And even having come uninvited, who asked you, that you should speak thus?"

Verse 73 (skanda.4.87.73)

सर्वमंगलमांगल्यो यत्र श्रीमानयं हरिः ।। स्वयं वै यज्ञपुरुषः स मखः किं श्मशानवत्

sarvamaṁgalamāṁgalyo yatra śrīmānayaṁ hariḥ || svayaṁ vai yajñapuruṣaḥ sa makhaḥ kiṁ śmaśānavat

"Where this glorious Hari himself, the very auspiciousness of all auspicious things, is present as the very Person of the sacrifice — how can that sacrifice be like a cremation-ground?"

Verse 74 (skanda.4.87.74)

यत्र वज्रधरः शक्रः शतयज्ञैकदीक्षितः ।। त्रयस्त्रिंशतिकोटीनाममराणां पतिः स्वयम्

yatra vajradharaḥ śakraḥ śatayajñaikadīkṣitaḥ || trayastriṁśatikoṭīnāmamarāṇāṁ patiḥ svayam

"Where the thunderbolt-wielding Shakra, initiated into a hundred sacrifices, the very lord of the thirty-three crore gods, is present —"

Verse 75 (skanda.4.87.75)

तं त्वंचोपमिमीषेमुं श्मशानेन महामखम् ।। धर्मराट्च स्वयं यत्र धर्माधर्मैककोविदः

taṁ tvaṁcopamimīṣemuṁ śmaśānena mahāmakham || dharmarāṭca svayaṁ yatra dharmādharmaikakovidaḥ

"— that great sacrifice you compare to a cremation-ground! And where the very King of Dharma himself, sole knower of what is right and wrong, is present —"

Verse 76 (skanda.4.87.76)

श्रीदोस्ति यत्र श्रीदाता साक्षाद्यत्राशुशुक्षणिः ।। तं यज्ञमुपमासि त्वममंगलभुवातया

śrīdosti yatra śrīdātā sākṣādyatrāśuśukṣaṇiḥ || taṁ yajñamupamāsi tvamamaṁgalabhuvātayā

"— where the giver of wealth, the lord of wealth, and Agni himself, are present — that sacrifice you compare, with your talk of ill omen!"

Verse 77 (skanda.4.87.77)

देवाचार्यः स्वयं यत्र क्रतोराचार्यतागतः ।। अभिमानवशात्तं त्वमाख्यासि पितृकाननम्

devācāryaḥ svayaṁ yatra kratorācāryatāgataḥ || abhimānavaśāttaṁ tvamākhyāsi pitṛkānanam

"Where the very teacher of the gods himself has taken up the role of officiant for the sacrifice — that, out of sheer pride, you call a forest of the dead."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.87.78)

यत्रार्त्विज्यं भजंतेऽमी वसिष्ठप्रमुखर्षयः ।। तमध्वरं समाचक्षे मंगलेतरभूमिवत्

yatrārtvijyaṁ bhajaṁte'mī vasiṣṭhapramukharṣayaḥ || tamadhvaraṁ samācakṣe maṁgaletarabhūmivat

"That sacrifice, where these sages headed by Vasishtha themselves serve as priests, you describe as an inauspicious place!"

Verse 79 (skanda.4.87.79)

निशम्येति मुनिः प्राह दधीचिर्ज्ञानिनां वरः ।। सर्वमंगलमांगल्यो भवेद्यज्ञपुमान्हरिः

niśamyeti muniḥ prāha dadhīcirjñānināṁ varaḥ || sarvamaṁgalamāṁgalyo bhavedyajñapumānhariḥ

Hearing this, the sage Dadhichi, best among the wise, said: "Hari, the Person of the sacrifice, is indeed the very auspiciousness of every auspicious thing —"

Verse 80 (skanda.4.87.80)

तथापि शांभवी शक्तिर्वेदे विष्णुः प्रपठ्यते ।। वामांगं स्रष्टुराद्यस्य हरिस्तदितरद्विधिः

tathāpi śāṁbhavī śaktirvede viṣṇuḥ prapaṭhyate || vāmāṁgaṁ sraṣṭurādyasya haristaditaradvidhiḥ

"— and yet, it is Shambhu's own power that is recited in the Vedas as Vishnu; Hari is the left half of that primal Creator, and Brahma the other."

Verse 81 (skanda.4.87.81)

दीक्षितो योश्वमेधानां शतस्य कुलिशायुधः ।। दुर्वाससा क्षणेनापि नीतो निःश्रीकतां हि सः

dīkṣito yośvamedhānāṁ śatasya kuliśāyudhaḥ || durvāsasā kṣaṇenāpi nīto niḥśrīkatāṁ hi saḥ

"That very thunderbolt-wielding one, initiated into a hundred horse-sacrifices, was, in an instant, stripped of all his glory by Durvasa;"

Verse 82 (skanda.4.87.82)

पुनराराध्य भूतेशं प्रापैकाममरावतीम् ।। यस्त्वया धर्मराजोत्र कथितः क्रतुरक्षकः

punarārādhya bhūteśaṁ prāpaikāmamarāvatīm || yastvayā dharmarājotra kathitaḥ kraturakṣakaḥ

"— it was only by worshipping the Lord of beings again that he regained his single Amaravati. And this Dharmaraja, whom you have called the protector of the sacrifice —"

Verse 83 (skanda.4.87.83)

बलं तस्याखिलैर्ज्ञातं श्वेतं पाशयतः पुरा ।। धनदस्त्र्यंबकसखस्तच्चक्षुश्चाशुशुक्षणिः

balaṁ tasyākhilairjñātaṁ śvetaṁ pāśayataḥ purā || dhanadastryaṁbakasakhastaccakṣuścāśuśukṣaṇiḥ

"— his true strength was known by all, of old, when he tried to bind Shveta with his noose. And Kubera, the friend of the three-eyed one, and Agni also —"

Verse 84 (skanda.4.87.84)

पार्ष्णिग्राह्यभवद्रुद्रो देवाचार्यस्य वै तदा ।। यदा तारामधार्षीत्स द्विजराजोऽतिसुंदरीम्

pārṣṇigrāhyabhavadrudro devācāryasya vai tadā || yadā tārāmadhārṣītsa dvijarājo'tisuṁdarīm

"— and it was Rudra himself who became the rear-guard ally of the teacher of the gods, when that king of the twice-born violated the exceedingly beautiful Tara."

Verse 85 (skanda.4.87.85)

तं विदंति वसिष्ठाद्यास्तवार्त्विज्यं भजंति ये ।। एको रुद्रो न द्वितीयः संविदाना अपीति हि

taṁ vidaṁti vasiṣṭhādyāstavārtvijyaṁ bhajaṁti ye || eko rudro na dvitīyaḥ saṁvidānā apīti hi

"This is well known even to Vasishtha and the other sages who serve as your priests — that Rudra alone is unrivalled, without a second — this they themselves acknowledge."

Verse 86 (skanda.4.87.86)

प्रावर्तंतर्षयोन्येपि गौरवात्तव ते क्रतौ ।। यदि मे ब्राह्मणस्यैकं शृणोषि वचनं हितम्

prāvartaṁtarṣayonyepi gauravāttava te kratau || yadi me brāhmaṇasyaikaṁ śṛṇoṣi vacanaṁ hitam

"Out of respect for you, the other sages too have taken part in this sacrifice of yours. If you will heed this one beneficial word of mine, a brahmin's word —"

Verse 87 (skanda.4.87.87)

तदा क्रतुफलाधीशं विश्वेशं त्वं समाह्वय ।। विना तेन क्रतुरसौ कृतोप्यकृत एव हि

tadā kratuphalādhīśaṁ viśveśaṁ tvaṁ samāhvaya || vinā tena kraturasau kṛtopyakṛta eva hi

"— then invite Vishvesha, the very lord of the fruit of sacrifice. Without him, this sacrifice, though performed, is as if it were never performed at all."

Verse 88 (skanda.4.87.88)

सति तस्म्निमहादेवे विश्वकर्मैकसाक्षिणि ।। तवापि चैषा सर्वेषां फलिष्यंति मनोरथाः

sati tasmnimahādeve viśvakarmaikasākṣiṇi || tavāpi caiṣā sarveṣāṁ phaliṣyaṁti manorathāḥ

"Only when that great god, the sole witness of all creation, is present, shall your desires, and everyone else's, indeed bear fruit."

Verse 89 (skanda.4.87.89)

यथा जडानि बीजानि न फलंति स्वयं तथा ।। जडानि सर्वकर्माणि न फलंतीश्वरं विना

yathā jaḍāni bījāni na phalaṁti svayaṁ tathā || jaḍāni sarvakarmāṇi na phalaṁtīśvaraṁ vinā

"Just as inert seeds do not bear fruit on their own, so too do all inert actions never bear fruit without the Lord."

Verse 90 (skanda.4.87.90)

अर्थहीना यथा वाणी धर्महीना यथा तनुः ।। पतिहीना यथा नारी शिवहीना तथा क्रिया ।।

arthahīnā yathā vāṇī dharmahīnā yathā tanuḥ || patihīnā yathā nārī śivahīnā tathā kriyā ||

"As speech without meaning, as a body without dharma, as a woman without a husband — so is a rite without Shiva."

Verse 91 (skanda.4.87.91)

गंगाहीना यथा देशाः पुत्रहीना यथा गृहाः ।। दानहीना यथा संपच्छिवहीना तथा क्रिया

gaṁgāhīnā yathā deśāḥ putrahīnā yathā gṛhāḥ || dānahīnā yathā saṁpacchivahīnā tathā kriyā

"As lands without the Ganga, as a household without sons, as wealth without giving — so is a rite without Shiva."

Verse 92 (skanda.4.87.92)

मंत्रिहीनं यथा राज्यं श्रुतिहीना यथा द्विजाः ।। योषा हीनं यथा सौख्यं शिवहीना तथा क्रिया

maṁtrihīnaṁ yathā rājyaṁ śrutihīnā yathā dvijāḥ || yoṣā hīnaṁ yathā saukhyaṁ śivahīnā tathā kriyā

"As a kingdom without ministers, as brahmins without the Vedas, as pleasure without a woman — so is a rite without Shiva."

Verse 93 (skanda.4.87.93)

दर्भहीना यथा संध्या तिलहीनं च तर्पणम् ।। हविर्हीनो यथा होमः शिवहीना तथा क्रिया

darbhahīnā yathā saṁdhyā tilahīnaṁ ca tarpaṇam || havirhīno yathā homaḥ śivahīnā tathā kriyā

"As the twilight-rite without kusha grass, as the ancestral offering without sesame, as the fire-oblation without ghee — so is a rite without Shiva."

Verse 94 (skanda.4.87.94)

इत्थं दधीचिनाख्यातं जग्राह वचनं न तत् ।। दक्षो दक्षोपि तत्रैव शंभोर्माया विमोहितः

itthaṁ dadhīcinākhyātaṁ jagrāha vacanaṁ na tat || dakṣo dakṣopi tatraiva śaṁbhormāyā vimohitaḥ

Thus spoken by Dadhichi — yet Daksha, skilled though he was, did not accept those words there, deluded by the very illusion of Shambhu himself.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.87.95)

प्रोवाच च भृशं क्रुद्धः का चिंता तव मे क्रतोः ।। क्रतुमुख्यानि सर्वाणि यानि कर्माणि सर्वतः

provāca ca bhṛśaṁ kruddhaḥ kā ciṁtā tava me kratoḥ || kratumukhyāni sarvāṇi yāni karmāṇi sarvataḥ

And he said, greatly enraged: "What concern is it of yours regarding my sacrifice? All the principal rites of the sacrifice, and all the actions therein —"

Verse 96 (skanda.4.87.96)

तानि सिद्ध्यंति नियतं यथार्थकरणादिह ।। अयथार्थविधानेन सिद्ध्येत्कर्मापि नेशितुः

tāni siddhyaṁti niyataṁ yathārthakaraṇādiha || ayathārthavidhānena siddhyetkarmāpi neśituḥ

"— surely succeed by being performed correctly. By incorrect performance, an act does not succeed, even for the Lord himself."

Verse 97 (skanda.4.87.97)

स्वकर्मसिद्धये चाथ सर्व एव हि चेश्वरः ।। ईश्वरः कर्मणां साक्षी यत्त्वयापीति भाषितम्

svakarmasiddhaye cātha sarva eva hi ceśvaraḥ || īśvaraḥ karmaṇāṁ sākṣī yattvayāpīti bhāṣitam

"For the success of one's own action, everyone is indeed his own lord. As for what you said, that the Lord is the witness of all actions —"

Verse 98 (skanda.4.87.98)

तत्तथास्तु परं साक्षी नार्थं दद्याच्च कुत्रचित्

tattathāstu paraṁ sākṣī nārthaṁ dadyācca kutracit

"— let that be so; but a mere witness gives nothing to anyone, anywhere."

Verse 99 (skanda.4.87.99)

जडानि सर्वकर्माणि न फलंतीश्वरं विना ।। यदुक्तं भवता तत्राप्यहो दृष्टांतयाम्यहम्

jaḍāni sarvakarmāṇi na phalaṁtīśvaraṁ vinā || yaduktaṁ bhavatā tatrāpyaho dṛṣṭāṁtayāmyaham

"As for your claim that all inert actions never bear fruit without the Lord — ah, on that point too let me offer you an example."

Verse 100 (skanda.4.87.100)

जडान्यपि च बीजानि कालं संप्राप्यवात्मनः ।। अंकूरयंति कालाच्च पुष्प्यंति च फलंति च

jaḍānyapi ca bījāni kālaṁ saṁprāpyavātmanaḥ || aṁkūrayaṁti kālācca puṣpyaṁti ca phalaṁti ca

"Even inert seeds, when their proper time arrives, sprout of their own accord, and in due time flower and bear fruit."

Verse 101 (skanda.4.87.101)

विनापीशं तथा कर्म स्वयं कालात्फलत्यहो ।। किमीश्वरेण तेनात्र महामंगलमूर्तिना

vināpīśaṁ tathā karma svayaṁ kālātphalatyaho || kimīśvareṇa tenātra mahāmaṁgalamūrtinā

"So too, even without the Lord, an action of itself bears fruit through the working of Time. What need then, here, of that so-called great and auspicious Lord?"

Verse 102 (skanda.4.87.102)

।। दधीचिरुवाच ।। ।। यथार्थकरणात्सिद्धमपि कार्यं कदाचन ।। ईश्वरप्रातिकूल्याच्च सिद्धमेवाशु नश्यति

|| dadhīciruvāca || || yathārthakaraṇātsiddhamapi kāryaṁ kadācana || īśvaraprātikūlyācca siddhamevāśu naśyati

Dadhichi said: "An action, even though correctly performed and thus successful, sometimes swiftly comes to ruin through the Lord's displeasure alone."

Verse 103 (skanda.4.87.103)

ईश्वरेच्छा बलात्कर्म कृतमप्यविधानतः ।। संसिद्ध्येत्तदधीनाश्च कथं सर्व इहेश्वराः

īśvarecchā balātkarma kṛtamapyavidhānataḥ || saṁsiddhyettadadhīnāśca kathaṁ sarva iheśvarāḥ

"By the sheer force of the Lord's will, an action, even performed incorrectly, may succeed; and if all beings are subject to him, how can they all be lords in their own right, as you claim?"

Verse 104 (skanda.4.87.104)

सामान्यसाक्षिवन्नेशः सर्वेषां सर्वकर्मणाम् ।। साक्षीभवेदसंदिग्धः फलस्य प्रतिभूरपि

sāmānyasākṣivanneśaḥ sarveṣāṁ sarvakarmaṇām || sākṣībhavedasaṁdigdhaḥ phalasya pratibhūrapi

"The Lord is not merely a witness like an ordinary bystander, to all the deeds of all beings; he is, without doubt, a witness who also guarantees the very fruit."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.87.105)

भूजलादिस्वरूपेण बीजमाविश्यसर्वकृत् ।। स्वयं कालस्वरूपेण विदध्यादंकुरोदयम्

bhūjalādisvarūpeṇa bījamāviśyasarvakṛt || svayaṁ kālasvarūpeṇa vidadhyādaṁkurodayam

"Entering into the seed in the very form of earth, water, and the rest, that maker of everything, himself in the very form of Time, brings about the rise of the sprout."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.87.106)

यत्त्वयोक्तं विनापीशं काले कर्मफलेत्स्वयम् ।। स एव कालो भगवान्सर्वकर्ता महेशिता

yattvayoktaṁ vināpīśaṁ kāle karmaphaletsvayam || sa eva kālo bhagavānsarvakartā maheśitā

"As for what you said, that an action, without the Lord, bears fruit on its own in time — that very Time is itself the Lord, the maker of all, the great sovereign."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.87.107)

अन्यच्च भवता प्रोक्तं तदेकं तथ्यमेव तत् ।। किमीश्वरेण तेनात्र महामंगलमूर्तिना

anyacca bhavatā proktaṁ tadekaṁ tathyameva tat || kimīśvareṇa tenātra mahāmaṁgalamūrtinā

"And what else you said — that alone was indeed true, if you meant: 'What use, then, of that great and auspicious Lord' —"

Verse 108 (skanda.4.87.108)

ये महांतो भवंत्येव ये च मंगलमूर्तयः ।। ईश्वराख्या च येष्वस्ति किं तैरत्र तवांतिके

ye mahāṁto bhavaṁtyeva ye ca maṁgalamūrtayaḥ || īśvarākhyā ca yeṣvasti kiṁ tairatra tavāṁtike

"— for whoever else are called great, whoever else bear the name of auspicious forms, whoever else bear the title 'lord' — what use are they at all, in your presence?"

Verse 109 (skanda.4.87.109)

उत्तरादुत्तरं चेति प्रत्युत्तरयति द्विजे ।। दधीचौ चुक्रुधेऽत्यंतं दक्षोगर्वातिसुश्रिया

uttarāduttaraṁ ceti pratyuttarayati dvije || dadhīcau cukrudhe'tyaṁtaṁ dakṣogarvātisuśriyā

As that brahmin, Dadhichi, went on giving reply after reply, Daksha, in his excessive pride at his own great splendour, became utterly enraged.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.87.110)

आदिदेश समीपस्थानालोक्य परितस्त्विति ।। ब्राह्मणापसदं चामुं परिदूरयताशु वै

ādideśa samīpasthānālokya paritastviti || brāhmaṇāpasadaṁ cāmuṁ paridūrayatāśu vai

Looking about at those standing nearby, he commanded: "Cast this wretched excuse for a brahmin far away from here, at once —"

Verse 111 (skanda.4.87.111)

अमुष्मादध्वरश्रेष्ठादवरिष्ठमनोगतम् ।। इत्थं दधीचिराकर्ण्य प्रोवाच प्रहसन्निव

amuṣmādadhvaraśreṣṭhādavariṣṭhamanogatam || itthaṁ dadhīcirākarṇya provāca prahasanniva

"— his mind, so lowly, has no place at this most excellent of sacrifices." Hearing this, Dadhichi said, as if laughing:

Verse 112 (skanda.4.87.112)

किं मां दूरयसे मूढ दूरीभूतो भवानपि ।। सर्वेभ्यो मंगलेभ्यश्च सर्वैरेभिः समं ध्रुवम्

kiṁ māṁ dūrayase mūḍha dūrībhūto bhavānapi || sarvebhyo maṁgalebhyaśca sarvairebhiḥ samaṁ dhruvam

"Why do you drive me away, O fool? You yourself shall become distant — surely, distant from all these very auspicious things and all these gathered here."

Verse 113 (skanda.4.87.113)

अकांडे क्रोधजो दंडस्तव मूर्ध्नि पतिष्यति ।। महेशितुस्त्रिजगती परिशास्तुः प्रजापते

akāṁḍe krodhajo daṁḍastava mūrdhni patiṣyati || maheśitustrijagatī pariśāstuḥ prajāpate

"A punishment born of wrath shall fall upon your very head without warning, O Prajapati, from the great Lord who governs the three worlds."

Verse 114 (skanda.4.87.114)

इत्युक्त्वा निर्जगामाशु यज्ञवाटात्ततो द्विजः ।। तस्मिन्निर्याति निर्यातो दुर्वासाश्च्यवनो भवान्

ityuktvā nirjagāmāśu yajñavāṭāttato dvijaḥ || tasminniryāti niryāto durvāsāścyavano bhavān

Having said this, that brahmin swiftly departed from the sacrificial enclosure; and as he left, Durvasa, Chyavana, and Bhava himself also departed.

Verse 115 (skanda.4.87.115)

उत्तंक उपमन्युश्च ऋचीकोद्दालकावपि ।। मांडव्यो वामदेवश्च गालवो गर्गगौतमौ

uttaṁka upamanyuśca ṛcīkoddālakāvapi || māṁḍavyo vāmadevaśca gālavo gargagautamau

Uttanka and Upamanyu, Richika and Uddalaka too, Mandavya and Vamadeva, Galava, Garga, and Gautama,

Verse 116 (skanda.4.87.116)

शिवतत्त्वविदोन्येपि दक्षयज्ञाद्विनिर्ययुः ।। गते दधीचौ सानंदं प्रावर्तत महामखः

śivatattvavidonyepi dakṣayajñādviniryayuḥ || gate dadhīcau sānaṁdaṁ prāvartata mahāmakhaḥ

and other knowers of the truth of Shiva as well, all left Daksha's sacrifice. Once Dadhichi had gone, the great sacrifice proceeded joyfully.

Verse 117 (skanda.4.87.117)

ये स्थिता ब्राह्मणास्तत्र तेभ्यो द्विगुण दक्षिणाम् ।। प्रादात्प्रजापतिर्दक्षस्त्वन्येभ्योप्यधिकं वसु ।।

ye sthitā brāhmaṇāstatra tebhyo dviguṇa dakṣiṇām || prādātprajāpatirdakṣastvanyebhyopyadhikaṁ vasu ||

To the brahmins who remained there, Daksha the Prajapati gave double the sacrificial fee; and to the others he gave even more wealth still.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.87.118)

सर्वे जामातरस्तेन तोषिता भूरिशोधनैः ।। कन्याश्चालंकृताः सर्वा महाविभवविस्तरैः

sarve jāmātarastena toṣitā bhūriśodhanaiḥ || kanyāścālaṁkṛtāḥ sarvā mahāvibhavavistaraiḥ

All his sons-in-law were gratified by him with abundant riches; and all his daughters were adorned with great and lavish splendour.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.87.119)

ऋषिपत्न्योपि बहुशो देवपत्न्योप्यनेकशः ।। तथा पुरांगनाः सर्वास्तेन मानभुवः कृताः

ṛṣipatnyopi bahuśo devapatnyopyanekaśaḥ || tathā purāṁganāḥ sarvāstena mānabhuvaḥ kṛtāḥ

The wives of the sages too, in abundance, and the wives of the gods, in great numbers, and all the women of the city as well, were shown honour by him.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.87.120)

ब्रह्मघोषेण तारेण व्योमशब्दगुणं स्फुटम् ।। कारितं तेन दक्षेण विप्राणां हृष्टचेतसाम्

brahmaghoṣeṇa tāreṇa vyomaśabdaguṇaṁ sphuṭam || kāritaṁ tena dakṣeṇa viprāṇāṁ hṛṣṭacetasām

By that Daksha, the loud, clear resonance of the Vedic chant, filling the very quality of sound in the sky, was raised by the joyful-hearted brahmins.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.87.121)

अग्निर्मंदाग्निरभवत्तस्मिञ्जुह्वति दीक्षिते ।। हविः परिमलेनैव परितृप्ता दिगंगनाः

agnirmaṁdāgnirabhavattasmiñjuhvati dīkṣite || haviḥ parimalenaiva paritṛptā digaṁganāḥ

As the initiated priests offered oblations there, even Agni was satisfied; and the very maidens of the directions were fully content by the fragrance of the offerings alone.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.87.122)

स्वाहाकारैर्वषट्कारैः सुरा जाताः पिचंडिलाः ।। रचिता गिरयस्तेन सदन्नानां पदेपदे

svāhākārairvaṣaṭkāraiḥ surā jātāḥ picaṁḍilāḥ || racitā girayastena sadannānāṁ padepade

By the utterances of "Svaha" and "Vashat," the gods grew full-bellied; and mountains of good food were heaped up by him at every step.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.87.123)

घृतकुल्याः कृतास्तेन मधुकुल्याः सहस्रशः ।। महासरांसि पयसां द्रप्सस्यापि महाह्रदाः

ghṛtakulyāḥ kṛtāstena madhukulyāḥ sahasraśaḥ || mahāsarāṁsi payasāṁ drapsasyāpi mahāhradāḥ

By him were made canals of ghee, and thousands of canals of honey; great lakes of milk, and great pools of curds as well.

Verse 124 (skanda.4.87.124)

राशयश्च दुकूलानां रत्नानां शिखराणि च ।। यज्ञवाटस्य वसुधा स्वर्णरूप्यमयीकृता

rāśayaśca dukūlānāṁ ratnānāṁ śikharāṇi ca || yajñavāṭasya vasudhā svarṇarūpyamayīkṛtā

Mounds of fine silks, and peaks of jewels; the very ground of the sacrificial enclosure was made of gold and silver.

Verse 125 (skanda.4.87.125)

न लभ्यंते क्रतौ तस्य मार्गिता अपि मार्गणाः ।। हृष्टाः पुष्टाः समभवन्नपि तत्परिचारकाः

na labhyaṁte kratau tasya mārgitā api mārgaṇāḥ || hṛṣṭāḥ puṣṭāḥ samabhavannapi tatparicārakāḥ

Even beggars, though they sought, found nothing left wanting in that sacrifice; even his attendants became well-fed and prosperous.

Verse 126 (skanda.4.87.126)

ध्वनिर्मंगलगीतानां व्यानशे गगनांगणम् ।। जहृषे चाप्सरोवृंदैर्गंधर्वैर्मुमुदेतराम्

dhvanirmaṁgalagītānāṁ vyānaśe gaganāṁgaṇam || jahṛṣe cāpsarovṛṁdairgaṁdharvairmumudetarām

The sound of auspicious songs filled the very expanse of the sky; the crowds of apsaras rejoiced, and the gandharvas were exceedingly delighted.

Verse 127 (skanda.4.87.127)

विद्याधरैर्ननंदे च वसुधा ववृधे भृशम् ।। महाविभवसंभारे तस्मिन्दाक्षे महाक्रतौ ।। इत्थं प्रवृत्तेऽथ मुनिः कैलासं नारदो ययौ

vidyādharairnanaṁde ca vasudhā vavṛdhe bhṛśam || mahāvibhavasaṁbhāre tasmindākṣe mahākratau || itthaṁ pravṛtte'tha muniḥ kailāsaṁ nārado yayau

The Vidyadharas rejoiced, and the earth itself flourished greatly, amid that great gathering of splendour at Daksha's great sacrifice. While it thus proceeded, the sage Narada then went to Kailasa.