The Manifestation of Dakshesvara

Verse 1 (skanda.4.89.1)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। पुनः स नारदोऽगस्त्य देव्याः प्राक्समुपागतः ।। तद्वृत्तांतमशेषं च हरायावेदितुं ययौ

|| skaṁda uvāca || punaḥ sa nārado'gastya devyāḥ prāksamupāgataḥ || tadvṛttāṁtamaśeṣaṁ ca harāyāvedituṁ yayau

Skanda said: That Narada, O Agastya, having come earlier before the goddess, then went to tell the entire matter to Hara as well.

Verse 2 (skanda.4.89.2)

दृष्ट्वा स नारदः शंभुं नंदिना सह संकथाम् ।। कांचित्तर्जनिविन्यास पूर्वं कुर्वंतमानमत्

dṛṣṭvā sa nāradaḥ śaṁbhuṁ naṁdinā saha saṁkathām || kāṁcittarjanivinyāsa pūrvaṁ kurvaṁtamānamat

Seeing Shambhu conversing with Nandi, making some gesture with his raised forefinger, Narada bowed.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.89.3)

उपाविशच्च शैलादि विसृष्टासनमुत्तमम् ।। वैलक्ष्यं नाटयन्किंचित्क्षणं जोषं समास्थितः

upāviśacca śailādi visṛṣṭāsanamuttamam || vailakṣyaṁ nāṭayankiṁcitkṣaṇaṁ joṣaṁ samāsthitaḥ

He sat upon the excellent seat offered by Shailadi, and, feigning some embarrassment, remained silent for a moment.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.89.4)

आकारेणैव सर्वज्ञस्तद्वृत्तांतं विवेद ह।। अवादीच्च मुनिं शंभुः कुतो मौनावलंबनम्

ākāreṇaiva sarvajñastadvṛttāṁtaṁ viveda ha|| avādīcca muniṁ śaṁbhuḥ kuto maunāvalaṁbanam

The omniscient one knew the whole matter merely from his demeanour; and Shambhu said to the sage: "Why this recourse to silence?"

Verse 5 (skanda.4.89.5)

शरारिणां स्थितिरियमुत्पत्तिप्रलयात्मिका ।। दिव्यान्यपि शरीराणि कालाद्यांत्येवमेव हि

śarāriṇāṁ sthitiriyamutpattipralayātmikā || divyānyapi śarīrāṇi kālādyāṁtyevameva hi

"This is simply the condition of embodied beings — arising and passing away; even divine bodies, in due course, meet their end in just this way."

Verse 6 (skanda.4.89.6)

दृश्यं विनश्वरं सर्वं विशेषाद्यदनीश्वरम् ।। ततोऽत्र चित्रं किं ब्रह्मन्कंकालः कालयेन्न वै

dṛśyaṁ vinaśvaraṁ sarvaṁ viśeṣādyadanīśvaram || tato'tra citraṁ kiṁ brahmankaṁkālaḥ kālayenna vai

"Everything visible is perishable, especially that which is without the Lord — so what is strange, O brahmin, in this? Should not Time itself devour a mere skeleton?"

Verse 7 (skanda.4.89.7)

अभाविनो हि भावस्य भावः क्वापि न संभवेत् ।। भाविनोपि हि नाभावस्ततो मुह्यंति नो बुधाः

abhāvino hi bhāvasya bhāvaḥ kvāpi na saṁbhavet || bhāvinopi hi nābhāvastato muhyaṁti no budhāḥ

"That which is not destined to be can never come into being; and that which is destined to be can never fail to be — so the wise are never confounded by this."

Verse 8 (skanda.4.89.8)

शंभूदीरितमाकर्ण्य स इत्थं मुनिपुंगवः ।। प्रोक्तवान्सत्यमेवैतद्यद्देवेन प्रभाषितम्

śaṁbhūdīritamākarṇya sa itthaṁ munipuṁgavaḥ || proktavānsatyamevaitadyaddevena prabhāṣitam

Hearing this spoken by Shambhu, that foremost of sages said: "True indeed is what the god has said."

Verse 9 (skanda.4.89.9)

अवश्यमेव यद्भाव्यं तद्भूतं नात्र संशयः ।। परं मां बाधतेत्यंतं चिंतैका चित्तमाथिनी

avaśyameva yadbhāvyaṁ tadbhūtaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ || paraṁ māṁ bādhatetyaṁtaṁ ciṁtaikā cittamāthinī

"Whatever is destined to be certainly comes to pass — of this there is no doubt. Yet one single thought troubles my mind exceedingly —"

Verse 10 (skanda.4.89.10)

नापचीयेत ते किंचिन्नोपचीयेत तत्त्वतः ।। अव्ययत्वाच्च पूर्णत्वाद्धानिवृद्धी कृतस्त्वयि

nāpacīyeta te kiṁcinnopacīyeta tattvataḥ || avyayatvācca pūrṇatvāddhānivṛddhī kṛtastvayi

"— nothing at all can truly diminish you, nor can anything truly increase you; since you are imperishable and already complete, gain and loss have no meaning for you."

Verse 11 (skanda.4.89.11)

अहो वराकः संसारः क्व भविष्यत्यनीश्वरः ।। आरभ्याद्यदिनं न त्वामर्चयिष्यंति केपि यत्

aho varākaḥ saṁsāraḥ kva bhaviṣyatyanīśvaraḥ || ārabhyādyadinaṁ na tvāmarcayiṣyaṁti kepi yat

"Ah, but where shall this poor world go, lordless as it is, if from this very day on, some no longer worship you at all?"

Verse 12 (skanda.4.89.12)

यतः प्रजापतिर्दक्षो न त्वामाहूतवान्क्रतौ ।। तेनाद्यरीढि तं दृष्ट्वा देवर्षिमनुजा अपि

yataḥ prajāpatirdakṣo na tvāmāhūtavānkratau || tenādyarīḍhi taṁ dṛṣṭvā devarṣimanujā api

"For since the Prajapati Daksha did not invite you to his sacrifice, seeing this today, even the gods, sages, and men —"

Verse 13 (skanda.4.89.13)

तव रीढां करिष्यंति किमैश्वर्येण रीढिनाम् ।। प्राप्तावहेडना लोके जितकालभया अपि ।। अथैश्वर्येण संपन्नाः प्रतिष्ठाभाजनं किमु

tava rīḍhāṁ kariṣyaṁti kimaiśvaryeṇa rīḍhinām || prāptāvaheḍanā loke jitakālabhayā api || athaiśvaryeṇa saṁpannāḥ pratiṣṭhābhājanaṁ kimu

"— shall now hold you in disregard too. Of what use is prosperity to those who hold you in disregard? Even those who have conquered fear of death fall into contempt in this world. And what use, then, is it for those endowed with power to become vessels of true honour?"

Verse 14 (skanda.4.89.14)

महीयसायुषा तेषां वसुभिर्भूरिभिश्च किम् ।। येऽभिमानधनानेह लब्धरीढाः पदेपदे

mahīyasāyuṣā teṣāṁ vasubhirbhūribhiśca kim || ye'bhimānadhanāneha labdharīḍhāḥ padepade

"What use is even a very long life to them, or abundant wealth, if they, whose only treasure is their own pride, are held in contempt at every step?"

Verse 15 (skanda.4.89.15)

अचेतनाश्च सावज्ञा जीवंतोपि न कीर्तये ।। अभिमानधना धन्या वरं योषित्सुसासती

acetanāśca sāvajñā jīvaṁtopi na kīrtaye || abhimānadhanā dhanyā varaṁ yoṣitsusāsatī

"Such disregarded, senseless people, though living, are not fit to be praised. Far more blessed, better than these treasurers of mere pride, is a truly virtuous woman —"

Verse 16 (skanda.4.89.16)

या त्वद्विनिंदाश्रवणात्तृणीचक्रे स्वजीवितम्।। इत्याकर्ण्य महाकालः सम्यग्ज्ञात्वा सतीव्ययम्

yā tvadviniṁdāśravaṇāttṛṇīcakre svajīvitam|| ityākarṇya mahākālaḥ samyagjñātvā satīvyayam

"— one who, upon hearing you reviled, cast away her own life as if it were a mere blade of grass." Hearing this, Mahakala, understanding it well as an account of Sati's death —

Verse 17 (skanda.4.89.17)

सत्यं मुने सती देवी तृणीचक्रे स्वजीवितम् ।। जोषं स्थिते मुनौ तत्र तन्महाकालसाध्वसात्

satyaṁ mune satī devī tṛṇīcakre svajīvitam || joṣaṁ sthite munau tatra tanmahākālasādhvasāt

"It is indeed true, O sage — the goddess Sati has cast away her own life as if it were a mere blade of grass." As the sage stood silent there, out of very awe of that great Mahakala,

Verse 18 (skanda.4.89.18)

रुद्रश्चातीवरुद्रोभूद्बहुकोपाग्निदीपितः ।। ततस्तत्कोपजाद्वह्निराविरासीन्महाद्युतिः

rudraścātīvarudrobhūdbahukopāgnidīpitaḥ || tatastatkopajādvahnirāvirāsīnmahādyutiḥ

Rudra became exceedingly fierce, ablaze with the fire of great wrath; and then, from that very fire of his wrath, a being of great splendour arose.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.89.19)

प्रत्यक्षः प्रतिमाकारः कालमृत्युप्रकंपनः ।। उवाच च प्रणम्येशं भुशुंडीं महतीं दधत्

pratyakṣaḥ pratimākāraḥ kālamṛtyuprakaṁpanaḥ || uvāca ca praṇamyeśaṁ bhuśuṁḍīṁ mahatīṁ dadhat

Visible in bodily form, one who could make even Time and Death themselves tremble, bearing a great iron club, he bowed to the Lord and said:

Verse 20 (skanda.4.89.20)

आज्ञां देहि पितः किं ते करवै दास्यमुत्तमम्।। ब्रह्मांडमेककवलं करवाणि त्वदाज्ञया

ājñāṁ dehi pitaḥ kiṁ te karavai dāsyamuttamam|| brahmāṁḍamekakavalaṁ karavāṇi tvadājñayā

"Give me your command, father — what supreme service shall I render you? At your command, I shall make the entire universe a single mouthful."

Verse 21 (skanda.4.89.21)

पिबामि चार्णवान्सप्ताप्येकेन चुलुकेन वै ।। रसातलं वा पातालं पातालं वा रसातलम्

pibāmi cārṇavānsaptāpyekena culukena vai || rasātalaṁ vā pātālaṁ pātālaṁ vā rasātalam

"I shall drink all seven oceans with a single handful of water; I shall turn Rasatala into Patala, or Patala into Rasatala,"

Verse 22 (skanda.4.89.22)

त्वदाज्ञया नयामीश विनिमय्य स्वहेलया ।। सलोकपालमिंद्रं वा धृत्वा केशैरिहानये

tvadājñayā nayāmīśa vinimayya svahelayā || salokapālamiṁdraṁ vā dhṛtvā keśairihānaye

"at your very command, my lord, transposing them by my own play. I shall seize Indra himself, together with the guardians of the world, and drag him here by his hair,"

Verse 23 (skanda.4.89.23)

अपि वैकुंठनाथश्चेत्तत्साहाय्यं करिष्यति ।। तदा तं कुंठितास्त्रं च करिष्यामि त्वदाज्ञया

api vaikuṁṭhanāthaścettatsāhāyyaṁ kariṣyati || tadā taṁ kuṁṭhitāstraṁ ca kariṣyāmi tvadājñayā

"and even should the lord of Vaikuntha himself come to his aid, then I shall render even his weapons useless, at your command."

Verse 24 (skanda.4.89.24)

दनुजा दितिजाः के वै वरा कारणदुर्बलाः ।। तेषु चोत्कटतां कोपि धत्ते तं प्रणिहन्म्यहम्

danujā ditijāḥ ke vai varā kāraṇadurbalāḥ || teṣu cotkaṭatāṁ kopi dhatte taṁ praṇihanmyaham

"What are the sons of Danu and Diti, weak as they are in their very cause? If any among them assumes fierce pride, I shall utterly destroy him."

Verse 25 (skanda.4.89.25)

कालं बध्नामि वा संख्ये मृत्योर्वा मृत्युमर्थये ।। स्थावरेषु चरेष्वत्र मयि कुद्धे रणांगणे

kālaṁ badhnāmi vā saṁkhye mṛtyorvā mṛtyumarthaye || sthāvareṣu careṣvatra mayi kuddhe raṇāṁgaṇe

"I shall bind Time itself in battle, or bring about the very death of Death; when I am enraged on the battlefield, among all things moving and unmoving,"

Verse 26 (skanda.4.89.26)

त्वद्बलेन महेशान न कोपि स्थैर्यमेष्यति ।। ममपादतलाघातादेतद्वै क्षोणिमंडलम्

tvadbalena maheśāna na kopi sthairyameṣyati || mamapādatalāghātādetadvai kṣoṇimaṁḍalam

"— by your very power, O great Lord, no one shall remain unshaken. By the mere blow of my foot, this whole globe of the earth,"

Verse 27 (skanda.4.89.27)

कदलीदलवद्वाताद्वेपते सरसातलम् ।। चूर्णीकरोमि दोर्दंडघाताच्चैतान्कुलाचलान्

kadalīdalavadvātādvepate sarasātalam || cūrṇīkaromi dordaṁḍaghātāccaitānkulācalān

"together with Rasatala, shall tremble like a plantain leaf in the wind; and with a single blow of my arm I shall crush these very mountains to dust."

Verse 28 (skanda.4.89.28)

किं बहूक्तेन देह्याज्ञां ममासाध्यं न किंचन ।। त्वत्पादबलमासाद्य कृतं विद्ध्यद्यचिंतितम्

kiṁ bahūktena dehyājñāṁ mamāsādhyaṁ na kiṁcana || tvatpādabalamāsādya kṛtaṁ viddhyadyaciṁtitam

"What need for many words? Give me your command; nothing is beyond my power. Having obtained the strength of your very feet, know that even the unthinkable is now already done."

Verse 29 (skanda.4.89.29)

इति प्रतिज्ञां तस्येशः श्रुत्वा कृतममन्यत ।। कृतकृत्यमिवात्यंतं तं मुदा प्रत्युवाच च

iti pratijñāṁ tasyeśaḥ śrutvā kṛtamamanyata || kṛtakṛtyamivātyaṁtaṁ taṁ mudā pratyuvāca ca

Hearing this vow of his, the Lord considered it as good as already accomplished; and, exceedingly joyful, replied to him, as if he were already fulfilled:

Verse 30 (skanda.4.89.30)

महावीरोसि रे भद्र मम सर्वगणेष्विह ।। वीरभद्राख्यया त्वं हि प्रथितिं परमां व्रज

mahāvīrosi re bhadra mama sarvagaṇeṣviha || vīrabhadrākhyayā tvaṁ hi prathitiṁ paramāṁ vraja

"You are indeed a great hero, O gracious one, among all my ganas here. By the name Virabhadra, go now to attain the highest renown."

Verse 31 (skanda.4.89.31)

कुरु मे सत्वरं कार्यं दक्षयज्ञं क्षयं नय ।। ये त्वां तत्रावमन्यंते तत्साहाय्यविधायिनः

kuru me satvaraṁ kāryaṁ dakṣayajñaṁ kṣayaṁ naya || ye tvāṁ tatrāvamanyaṁte tatsāhāyyavidhāyinaḥ

"Perform this task of mine swiftly: bring Daksha's sacrifice to destruction. Whoever there disregards you, whoever assists them —"

Verse 32 (skanda.4.89.32)

ते त्वयाप्यवमंतव्या व्रज पुत्र शुभोदय ।। इत्याज्ञां मूर्ध्नि चाधाय स ततः पारमेश्वरीम्

te tvayāpyavamaṁtavyā vraja putra śubhodaya || ityājñāṁ mūrdhni cādhāya sa tataḥ pārameśvarīm

"— they too are to be disregarded by you. Go, my son, of auspicious rising." Placing this command upon his own head, he then, to that great Goddess —

Verse 33 (skanda.4.89.33)

हरं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य जग्मिवानतिरंहसा ।। ततस्तदनुगाञ्शंभुः स्वनिःश्वाससमुद्गतान्

haraṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya jagmivānatiraṁhasā || tatastadanugāñśaṁbhuḥ svaniḥśvāsasamudgatān

— circumambulating Hara, went forth with great speed. Then Shambhu sent forth countless attendants for him, arisen from his own breath,

Verse 34 (skanda.4.89.34)

शतकोटिमितानुग्रान्गणानन्न्यानवासृजत् ।। ते गणा वीरभद्रं तं यांतं केचित्पुरोगताः

śatakoṭimitānugrāngaṇānannyānavāsṛjat || te gaṇā vīrabhadraṁ taṁ yāṁtaṁ kecitpurogatāḥ

numbering a hundred million ganas; and those ganas, some going ahead of Virabhadra as he went,

Verse 35 (skanda.4.89.35)

केचित्तदनुगा जाताः केचित्तत्पार्श्वगा ययुः।। अंबरं तैः समाक्रांतं तेजोवीजित भास्करैः

kecittadanugā jātāḥ kecittatpārśvagā yayuḥ|| aṁbaraṁ taiḥ samākrāṁtaṁ tejovījita bhāskaraiḥ

some following behind, and some going at his sides — the very sky was overrun by them, their splendour outshining even the sun.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.89.36)

शृंगाग्राणि गिरीणां च कैश्चिदुत्पाटितानि वै ।। आचूडमूलाः कैश्चिच्च विधता वै शिलोच्चयाः

śṛṁgāgrāṇi girīṇāṁ ca kaiścidutpāṭitāni vai || ācūḍamūlāḥ kaiścicca vidhatā vai śiloccayāḥ

By some, the very peaks of mountains were torn up; by others, entire ranges of stone were shattered down to their very roots.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.89.37)

उत्पाट्य महतो वृक्षान्केचित्प्राप्ता मखांगणम् ।। कैश्चिदुत्पाटिता यूपाः केचित्कुंडान्यपूपुरन्

utpāṭya mahato vṛkṣānkecitprāptā makhāṁgaṇam || kaiścidutpāṭitā yūpāḥ kecitkuṁḍānyapūpuran

Some, having uprooted great trees, arrived at the courtyard of the sacrifice; some tore up the sacrificial posts; some filled up the fire-pits with rubble.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.89.38)

मंडपं ध्वंसयामासुः केचित्क्रोधोद्धुरागणाः ।। अचीखनन्वै वेदीश्च केचिद्वै शूलपाणयः ।। अभक्षयन्हवींष्यन्ये पृषदाज्यं पपुः परे

maṁḍapaṁ dhvaṁsayāmāsuḥ kecitkrodhoddhurāgaṇāḥ || acīkhananvai vedīśca kecidvai śūlapāṇayaḥ || abhakṣayanhavīṁṣyanye pṛṣadājyaṁ papuḥ pare

Some ganas, wild with rage, destroyed the pavilion; some, trident in hand, dug up the very sacrificial altars; others devoured the offerings, while others drank up the curdled ghee.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.89.39)

दध्वंसुरन्नराशींश्च केचित्पर्वतसन्निभान् ।। केचिद्वै पायसाहाराः केचिद्वै क्षीरपायिनः ।।

dadhvaṁsurannarāśīṁśca kecitparvatasannibhān || kecidvai pāyasāhārāḥ kecidvai kṣīrapāyinaḥ ||

Some destroyed the mountain-like heaps of grain; some feasted on the rice-pudding, others drank up the milk.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.89.40)

केचित्पक्वान्नपुष्टांगा यज्ञपात्राण्यचूर्णयन् ।। अमोटयन्स्रुचादंडान्केचिद्दोर्दंडशालिनः ।। 4.2.89.४० व्यभजञ्छकटान्केचित्पशून्केचिदजीगिलन् ।। अग्निं निर्वापयामासुः केचिदत्यग्नितेजसः

kecitpakvānnapuṣṭāṁgā yajñapātrāṇyacūrṇayan || amoṭayansrucādaṁḍānkeciddordaṁḍaśālinaḥ || 4.2.89.40 vyabhajañchakaṭānkecitpaśūnkecidajīgilan || agniṁ nirvāpayāmāsuḥ kecidatyagnitejasaḥ

Some, their limbs fattened with cooked food, smashed the sacrificial vessels; some, mighty of arm, snapped the sacrificial ladles and staves in two; some broke apart the carts, others swallowed whole the sacrificial animals; and some, themselves ablaze with fiery splendour, extinguished the sacred fire.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.89.41)

स्वयं परिदधुश्चान्ये दुकूलानि मुदा युताः ।। जगृहुः केचन पुरा रत्नानां पर्वतं कृतम्

svayaṁ paridadhuścānye dukūlāni mudā yutāḥ || jagṛhuḥ kecana purā ratnānāṁ parvataṁ kṛtam

Some, filled with delight, clothed themselves in the fine silks meant for others; and some seized the very mountain of jewels heaped up before.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.89.42)

एकेन च भगो देवः पश्यंश्चक्रे विलोचनः ।। पूष्णो दंतावलीमन्यः पातयामास कोपितः

ekena ca bhago devaḥ paśyaṁścakre vilocanaḥ || pūṣṇo daṁtāvalīmanyaḥ pātayāmāsa kopitaḥ

By one, the god Bhaga was made blind before his own gaze; another, enraged, knocked out the row of teeth of Pushan.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.89.43)

यज्ञः पलायितो दृष्टः केनचिन्मृगरूपधृक् ।। शिरोविरहितश्चक्रे तेन चक्रेण दूरतः

yajñaḥ palāyito dṛṣṭaḥ kenacinmṛgarūpadhṛk || śirovirahitaścakre tena cakreṇa dūrataḥ

The sacrifice itself, seen fleeing in the form of a deer, was, by that discus, beheaded from a distance.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.89.44)

एकः सरस्वतीं यांतीं दृष्ट्वा निर्नासिकां व्यधात् ।। अदितेरोष्ठपुटकौ छिन्नावन्येन कोपिना

ekaḥ sarasvatīṁ yāṁtīṁ dṛṣṭvā nirnāsikāṁ vyadhāt || aditeroṣṭhapuṭakau chinnāvanyena kopinā

One, seeing Sarasvati fleeing, cut off her very nose; another, enraged, sliced off both of Aditi's lips.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.89.45)

अर्यम्णो बाहुयुगलं तथोत्पाटितवान्परः।। अग्नेरुत्पाटयामास कश्चिज्जिह्वां प्रसह्य च

aryamṇo bāhuyugalaṁ tathotpāṭitavānparaḥ|| agnerutpāṭayāmāsa kaścijjihvāṁ prasahya ca

Yet another tore off both of Aryaman's arms; and one forcibly ripped out the very tongue of Agni.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.89.46)

चिच्छेद वायोर्वृषणं पार्षदोन्यः प्रतापवान् ।। पाशयित्वा यमं कश्चित्को धर्म इति पृष्टवान्

ciccheda vāyorvṛṣaṇaṁ pārṣadonyaḥ pratāpavān || pāśayitvā yamaṁ kaścitko dharma iti pṛṣṭavān

Another powerful attendant severed the very manhood of Vayu; and one, having bound Yama with a noose, asked him: "What indeed is dharma?"

Verse 47 (skanda.4.89.47)

यत्र धर्मे महेशो न प्रथमं परिपूज्यते ।। नैर्ऋतं संगृहीत्वान्यः केशेष्वातो्ल्यचासकृत्

yatra dharme maheśo na prathamaṁ paripūjyate || nairṛtaṁ saṁgṛhītvānyaḥ keśeṣvātolyacāsakṛt

"— that dharma in which the great Lord is not honoured first!" Another, seizing Nairrita by the hair, swung him around again and again.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.89.48)

अनीश्वरं हविर्भुक्तं त्वयेत्या ताडयत्पदा ।। कुबेरमपरो धृत्वा पादयोरधुनोद्बलात्

anīśvaraṁ havirbhuktaṁ tvayetyā tāḍayatpadā || kuberamaparo dhṛtvā pādayoradhunodbalāt

"You have eaten a lordless offering!" — saying this, he struck him with his foot. Another, seizing Kubera by the feet, forcibly shook him,

Verse 49 (skanda.4.89.49)

वामयामास बहुशो भक्षिता ह्यध्वराहुतीः ।। एकादशाऽपि ये रुद्रा लोकपालैकपंक्तयः

vāmayāmāsa bahuśo bhakṣitā hyadhvarāhutīḥ || ekādaśā'pi ye rudrā lokapālaikapaṁktayaḥ

so that he vomited up again and again all the sacrificial oblations he had eaten. Even the eleven Rudras themselves, seated in the very same row as the guardians of the world —

Verse 50 (skanda.4.89.50)

रुद्राख्या धारणवशात्प्रमथैस्तेऽवहेलिताः ।। वरुणोदरमापीड्य प्रमथोन्यो बलेनहि

rudrākhyā dhāraṇavaśātpramathaiste'vahelitāḥ || varuṇodaramāpīḍya pramathonyo balenahi

"— though bearing the very name of Rudra, were shown contempt by these Pramathas. Another Pramatha, squeezing Varuna's belly with force,"

Verse 51 (skanda.4.89.51)

बहिरुद्गिरयामास यद्दत्तं चेशवर्ज्जितम् ।। मायूरीं तनुमासाद्य सहस्राक्षो महामतिः

bahirudgirayāmāsa yaddattaṁ ceśavarjjitam || māyūrīṁ tanumāsādya sahasrākṣo mahāmatiḥ

made him vomit out whatever had been offered to him without the Lord present. Taking on the form of a peacock, that great-minded thousand-eyed Indra —

Verse 52 (skanda.4.89.52)

उड्डीय गिरिमाश्रित्यच्छन्नः कौतुकमैक्षत ।। ब्राह्मणान्प्रमथा नत्वा यातयातेतिचाब्रुवन्

uḍḍīya girimāśrityacchannaḥ kautukamaikṣata || brāhmaṇānpramathā natvā yātayāteticābruvan

"— flew off and, taking refuge on a mountain, watched the whole spectacle in hiding. The Pramathas, bowing mockingly to the brahmins, cried 'Away! Away!'"

Verse 53 (skanda.4.89.53)

प्रमथाः कालयामासुरन्यानपि च याचकान् ।। इत्थं प्रमथिते यागे प्रमथैः प्रथमागतैः ।। वीरभद्रः स्वतः प्राप्तः प्रमथानीकिनी वृतः

pramathāḥ kālayāmāsuranyānapi ca yācakān || itthaṁ pramathite yāge pramathaiḥ prathamāgataiḥ || vīrabhadraḥ svataḥ prāptaḥ pramathānīkinī vṛtaḥ

and the Pramathas drove off even the assembled beggars. Thus, once the sacrifice had been ravaged by the Pramathas who had come first, Virabhadra himself then arrived, surrounded by his own army of Pramathas.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.89.54)

यज्ञवाटं श्मशानाभं दृष्ट्वा तैः प्रमथैः पुरा ।। अतिशोच्यां दशां नीतं वीरभद्रस्ततो जगौ ।।

yajñavāṭaṁ śmaśānābhaṁ dṛṣṭvā taiḥ pramathaiḥ purā || atiśocyāṁ daśāṁ nītaṁ vīrabhadrastato jagau ||

Seeing the sacrificial enclosure, already brought by those Pramathas to a most pitiable state resembling a cremation-ground, Virabhadra then declared:

Verse 55 (skanda.4.89.55)

गणाः पश्यत दुर्वृत्तैः प्रारब्धानां च कर्मणाम् ।। अनीश्वरैरवस्थेयं कुतो द्वेषो महेश्वरे

gaṇāḥ paśyata durvṛttaiḥ prārabdhānāṁ ca karmaṇām || anīśvarairavastheyaṁ kuto dveṣo maheśvare

"Behold, O ganas, this is the very state that results from deeds undertaken by the wicked, lordless ones. Why indeed should there be hatred toward the great Lord?"

Verse 56 (skanda.4.89.56)

ये द्विषंति महादेवं सर्वकर्मैकसाक्षिणम् ।। धर्मकार्ये प्रवृत्तास्तु ते प्राप्स्यंतीदृशं दशाम्

ye dviṣaṁti mahādevaṁ sarvakarmaikasākṣiṇam || dharmakārye pravṛttāstu te prāpsyaṁtīdṛśaṁ daśām

"Whoever hate the great god, the sole witness of every deed, even while engaged in an ostensibly righteous act, shall come to just such a fate as this."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.89.57)

क्व स दक्षो दुराचारः क्व च यज्ञभुजः सुराः ।। धृत्वा सर्वानानयत यात द्रुततरं गणाः

kva sa dakṣo durācāraḥ kva ca yajñabhujaḥ surāḥ || dhṛtvā sarvānānayata yāta drutataraṁ gaṇāḥ

"Where is that wicked-conducted Daksha, and where are the gods who enjoyed his sacrifice? Seize them all and bring them here — go swiftly, O ganas!"

Verse 58 (skanda.4.89.58)

इत्याज्ञा वीरभद्रस्य प्राप्य ते प्रमथा द्रुतम्।। यावद्यांत्यग्रतस्तावदृष्टः कुद्धो गदाधरः

ityājñā vīrabhadrasya prāpya te pramathā drutam|| yāvadyāṁtyagratastāvadṛṣṭaḥ kuddho gadādharaḥ

Receiving this command of Virabhadra, those Pramathas rushed swiftly forward; but as they advanced, they beheld the enraged mace-bearer, Vishnu.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.89.59)

तेन ते प्रमथाः सर्वे महाबलपराक्रमाः ।। शुष्कपर्णतृणावस्थां प्रापिता वात्ययेव हि

tena te pramathāḥ sarve mahābalaparākramāḥ || śuṣkaparṇatṛṇāvasthāṁ prāpitā vātyayeva hi

By him, all those Pramathas, mighty in strength and valour though they were, were reduced to the state of mere dry leaves and grass scattered by a whirlwind.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.89.60)

अथ नष्टेषु सर्वेषु प्रमथेषु हरेर्भयात् ।। चुकोप वीरभद्रः स प्रलयानलसंनिभः

atha naṣṭeṣu sarveṣu pramatheṣu harerbhayāt || cukopa vīrabhadraḥ sa pralayānalasaṁnibhaḥ

Then, when all his Pramathas had been routed by fear of Hari, Virabhadra grew enraged, blazing like the very fire of universal dissolution.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.89.61)

ददर्श शार्ङ्गिणं चाग्रे स्वगणैश्च परिष्टुतम् ।। चतुर्भुजैरसंख्यातैर्जितदैत्यमहाबलैः

dadarśa śārṅgiṇaṁ cāgre svagaṇaiśca pariṣṭutam || caturbhujairasaṁkhyātairjitadaityamahābalaiḥ

He beheld before him the bow-bearing Vishnu, praised by his own attendants — countless four-armed ones, of might that had conquered the great demons,

Verse 62 (skanda.4.89.62)

चक्रिभिर्गदिभिर्जुष्टं खड्गिभिश्चापि शार्ङ्गिभिः ।। वीरभद्रस्ततः प्राह दृष्ट्वा तं दैत्यसूदनम्

cakribhirgadibhirjuṣṭaṁ khaḍgibhiścāpi śārṅgibhiḥ || vīrabhadrastataḥ prāha dṛṣṭvā taṁ daityasūdanam

attended by discus-bearers, mace-bearers, sword-bearers and bow-bearers. Virabhadra then said, beholding that slayer of demons:

Verse 63 (skanda.4.89.63)

त्वं तु यज्ञपुमानत्र महायज्ञप्रवर्तकः ।। रक्षिता निजवीर्येण दक्षस्य त्र्यक्षवैरिणः

tvaṁ tu yajñapumānatra mahāyajñapravartakaḥ || rakṣitā nijavīryeṇa dakṣasya tryakṣavairiṇaḥ

"You are indeed the very Person of this sacrifice, the one who has furthered this great sacrifice, protecting through your own valour this Daksha, foe of the three-eyed one."

Verse 64 (skanda.4.89.64)

किं वा दक्षं समानीय देहि युध्यस्व वा मया ।। न दास्यसि च चेद्दक्षं ततस्तं रक्ष यत्नतः

kiṁ vā dakṣaṁ samānīya dehi yudhyasva vā mayā || na dāsyasi ca ceddakṣaṁ tatastaṁ rakṣa yatnataḥ

"So either bring Daksha and hand him over, or fight with me. And if you will not hand over Daksha, then protect him with all your effort."

Verse 65 (skanda.4.89.65)

प्रायशः शंभुभक्तेषु यतस्त्वं प्रोच्यसेऽग्रणीः ।। एकोनेऽब्जसहस्रेप्राग्ददौ नेत्रांबुजं भवान्

prāyaśaḥ śaṁbhubhakteṣu yatastvaṁ procyase'graṇīḥ || ekone'bjasahasreprāgdadau netrāṁbujaṁ bhavān

"For you are indeed generally called the foremost among Shambhu's devotees — when, of a thousand lotuses, one fell short, you once offered your own lotus-eye instead."

Verse 66 (skanda.4.89.66)

तुष्टेन शंभुना दत्तं तुभ्यं चक्रं सुदर्शनम् ।। यत्साहाय्यमवाप्याजौ त्वं जयेर्दनुजाधिपान्

tuṣṭena śaṁbhunā dattaṁ tubhyaṁ cakraṁ sudarśanam || yatsāhāyyamavāpyājau tvaṁ jayerdanujādhipān

"And, pleased by that, Shambhu gave you the very discus Sudarshana, with whose help you have conquered the lords of the demons in battle."

Verse 67 (skanda.4.89.67)

इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य वीरभद्रस्य चोर्जितम्।। जिज्ञासुस्तद्बलं विष्णुर्वीरभद्रमुवाच ह

ityākarṇya vacastasya vīrabhadrasya corjitam|| jijñāsustadbalaṁ viṣṇurvīrabhadramuvāca ha

Hearing this forceful speech of Virabhadra, Vishnu, wishing to test his strength, said to Virabhadra:

Verse 68 (skanda.4.89.68)

त्वं शंभोः सुत देशीयो गणानां प्रवरोस्यहो ।। राजादेशमनुप्राप्य ततोप्यतिबलो महान्

tvaṁ śaṁbhoḥ suta deśīyo gaṇānāṁ pravarosyaho || rājādeśamanuprāpya tatopyatibalo mahān

"You are, so to speak, a kind of son of Shambhu, and foremost among his ganas, ah; and having received your king's own command, you have become greater and mightier still."

Verse 69 (skanda.4.89.69)

योसि सोस्यहमप्यत्र दक्षरक्षणदक्षधीः ।। पश्यामि तव सामर्थ्यं कथं दक्षं हरिष्यसि

yosi sosyahamapyatra dakṣarakṣaṇadakṣadhīḥ || paśyāmi tava sāmarthyaṁ kathaṁ dakṣaṁ hariṣyasi

"Whatever you are, I too am here, my mind resolved on protecting Daksha. Let me see your power — how indeed will you carry off Daksha?"

Verse 70 (skanda.4.89.70)

इत्युक्तो वीरभद्रः स तेन वै शार्ङ्गधन्वना ।। प्रमथान्दृष्टिभंग्यैव प्रेरयामास संगरे

ityukto vīrabhadraḥ sa tena vai śārṅgadhanvanā || pramathāndṛṣṭibhaṁgyaiva prerayāmāsa saṁgare

Thus addressed by that bow-bearer, Virabhadra then, with a mere glance, sent his Pramathas forward into battle.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.89.71)

अथ तैः प्रमथैर्विष्णोरनुगा गदिता रणे ।। आददानास्तृणं वक्त्रे णापिताः पाशवीं दशाम्

atha taiḥ pramathairviṣṇoranugā gaditā raṇe || ādadānāstṛṇaṁ vaktre ṇāpitāḥ pāśavīṁ daśām

Then Vishnu's own attendants, addressed by those Pramathas in battle, taking straw in their mouths, were brought to a most abject, animal-like state.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.89.72)

ततस्तार्क्ष्यरथः क्रुद्धस्त्वेकैकं रणमूर्धनि ।। सहस्रेणसहस्रेण बाणानां हृद्यताडयत्

tatastārkṣyarathaḥ kruddhastvekaikaṁ raṇamūrdhani || sahasreṇasahasreṇa bāṇānāṁ hṛdyatāḍayat

Then Vishnu, riding on Garuda, enraged, struck each one of them at the forefront of the battle, in the very heart, with a thousand arrows each.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.89.73)

ते भिन्नवक्षसः सर्वे गणा रुधिरवर्षिणः ।। वासंतीं कैंशुकीं शोभां परिप्रापूरणाजिरे

te bhinnavakṣasaḥ sarve gaṇā rudhiravarṣiṇaḥ || vāsaṁtīṁ kaiṁśukīṁ śobhāṁ pariprāpūraṇājire

All those ganas, their chests pierced, streaming with blood, filled the battlefield with a springtime-like beauty, red as the kimshuka blossom.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.89.74)

क्षरंत इव मातंगाः स्रवंत इव पर्वताः ।। मदेन धातुरागेण मिश्रैः शुशुभिरे गणाः

kṣaraṁta iva mātaṁgāḥ sravaṁta iva parvatāḥ || madena dhāturāgeṇa miśraiḥ śuśubhire gaṇāḥ

Like elephants oozing musth, like mountains streaming with mineral-red ore, the ganas, mingled with blood and their own dark passion, shone forth resplendent.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.89.75)

ततः प्रहस्य गणपोऽब्रवीद्वै कुंठनायकम् ।। हे शार्ङ्गधन्वञ्जाने त्वां त्वं रणांगण पंडितः

tataḥ prahasya gaṇapo'bravīdvai kuṁṭhanāyakam || he śārṅgadhanvañjāne tvāṁ tvaṁ raṇāṁgaṇa paṁḍitaḥ

Then, laughing, the lord of the ganas said to that lord of the Kunthas: "O bow-bearer, I know you well — you are indeed skilled in the field of battle,"

Verse 76 (skanda.4.89.76)

परं युध्यसि दैत्येंद्रैर्दानवेंद्रैर्न पार्षदैः ।। इत्युक्ता वीरभद्रेण भुशुंडीकलिताकरे

paraṁ yudhyasi daityeṁdrairdānaveṁdrairna pārṣadaiḥ || ityuktā vīrabhadreṇa bhuśuṁḍīkalitākare

"— but only against the lords of demons and danavas, not against mere attendants!" Thus addressed by Virabhadra, that mace-holding one —

Verse 77 (skanda.4.89.77)

गदिनाऽथ गदा तूर्णं दैत्येंद्रगिरिरेणुकृत् ।। ततः प्रहतवान्वीरो भुशुंड्या तं गदाधरम्

gadinā'tha gadā tūrṇaṁ daityeṁdragirireṇukṛt || tataḥ prahatavānvīro bhuśuṁḍyā taṁ gadādharam

"— whose mace could pulverize even the mountainous demon-kings — swung it swiftly; and the hero then struck that mace-bearer with his own iron club."

Verse 78 (skanda.4.89.78)

तदंगसंगमासाद्य विदद्रे शतधा तया ।। कौमोदकी प्रहारेण वीरभद्रं प्रतापिनम्

tadaṁgasaṁgamāsādya vidadre śatadhā tayā || kaumodakī prahāreṇa vīrabhadraṁ pratāpinam

Upon contact with his body, it shattered into a hundred pieces from that blow; and with the blow of his own mace, Kaumodaki, that valorous Virabhadra —

Verse 79 (skanda.4.89.79)

जघान वासुदेवोपि तरसाऽज्ञातवेदनम् ।। ततः खट्वांगमादाय गदाहस्तं गदाधरम्

jaghāna vāsudevopi tarasā'jñātavedanam || tataḥ khaṭvāṁgamādāya gadāhastaṁ gadādharam

"— was struck by Vasudeva swiftly, though he felt no pain at all. Then, taking up his skull-topped club, that mace-bearer, mace still in hand,"

Verse 80 (skanda.4.89.80)

आताड्य सव्यदोर्दंडे गदां भूमावपातयत् ।। कुपितोयं मधुद्वेषी चक्रेणाताडयच्च तम्

ātāḍya savyadordaṁḍe gadāṁ bhūmāvapātayat || kupitoyaṁ madhudveṣī cakreṇātāḍayacca tam

struck him on his left arm, so that the mace fell to the ground. This enraged foe of Madhu then struck him with his discus.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.89.81)

स च चक्रं समागच्छद्दृष्ट्वा सस्मार शंकरम् ।। शंकरस्मरणाच्चक्रं मनाग्वक्रत्वमाप्य च ।। कंठमासाद्यवीरस्य सम्यग्जातं सुदर्शनम्

sa ca cakraṁ samāgacchaddṛṣṭvā sasmāra śaṁkaram || śaṁkarasmaraṇāccakraṁ manāgvakratvamāpya ca || kaṁṭhamāsādyavīrasya samyagjātaṁ sudarśanam

Seeing that discus coming toward him, Virabhadra remembered Shankara; and, at that very remembrance of Shankara, the discus, its trajectory slightly deflected, reached the hero's neck and simply became — truly — an ornament of fine beauty.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.89.82)

तेन चक्रेण शुशुभे नितरां स गणेश्वरः ।। वीरलक्ष्म्यावृत इव समरे विजयस्रजा

tena cakreṇa śuśubhe nitarāṁ sa gaṇeśvaraḥ || vīralakṣmyāvṛta iva samare vijayasrajā

Adorned with that very discus, that lord of the ganas shone forth exceedingly, as if wearing a garland of victory, embraced by the very goddess of heroic glory in that battle.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.89.83)

ततः सुदर्शनं दृष्ट्वा तत्कंठाभरणं हरिः ।। मनाक्स चकितं स्मित्वा ततो जग्राह नंदकम्

tataḥ sudarśanaṁ dṛṣṭvā tatkaṁṭhābharaṇaṁ hariḥ || manāksa cakitaṁ smitvā tato jagrāha naṁdakam

Then Hari, seeing Sudarshana thus turned into a neck-ornament, smiled a little in astonishment, and then took up his sword Nandaka.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.89.84)

सनंदकं करं तस्य प्रोद्यतं मधुविद्विषः ।। पश्यतां दिविसिद्धानां स्तंभयामास हुंकृता

sanaṁdakaṁ karaṁ tasya prodyataṁ madhuvidviṣaḥ || paśyatāṁ divisiddhānāṁ staṁbhayāmāsa huṁkṛtā

That very hand of the foe of Madhu, raised with his sword Nandaka, was, before the very eyes of the siddhas of heaven, frozen still by a mere roar of Virabhadra.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.89.85)

अभ्यधावच्च वेगेन गृहीत्वा शूलमुज्ज्वलम् ।। यावज्जिघांसति हरिं तावदाकाशवाचया

abhyadhāvacca vegena gṛhītvā śūlamujjvalam || yāvajjighāṁsati hariṁ tāvadākāśavācayā

He then rushed forward with speed, seizing his blazing trident; and as he was about to strike Hari down, a voice from the sky —

Verse 86 (skanda.4.89.86)

वारितो गणराजः स मा कार्षीः साहसं त्विति ।। ततस्तमपहायाशु वीरभद्रो गणोत्तमः

vārito gaṇarājaḥ sa mā kārṣīḥ sāhasaṁ tviti || tatastamapahāyāśu vīrabhadro gaṇottamaḥ

"— restrained that lord of the ganas: 'Do not commit this rash act!' Then that best of the ganas, Virabhadra, leaving Vishnu aside at once,"

Verse 87 (skanda.4.89.87)

प्राप्य दक्षं विनद्योच्चैर्धिक्त्वामीश्वरनिंदकम् ।। यस्येदृगस्ति संपत्तिर्यत्रदेवाः सहायिनः ।। स कथं सेश्वरं कर्म न कुर्याद्दक्षतांदधत्

prāpya dakṣaṁ vinadyoccairdhiktvāmīśvaraniṁdakam || yasyedṛgasti saṁpattiryatradevāḥ sahāyinaḥ || sa kathaṁ seśvaraṁ karma na kuryāddakṣatāṁdadhat

went to Daksha and cried out loudly: "Shame on you, reviler of the Lord! One who possesses such wealth, and has the very gods as his helpers —"

Verse 88 (skanda.4.89.88)

येनास्येन पवित्रेण भवता निंदितः शिवः ।। चूर्णयामि तदास्यं ते चपेटाभिः समंततः

yenāsyena pavitreṇa bhavatā niṁditaḥ śivaḥ || cūrṇayāmi tadāsyaṁ te capeṭābhiḥ samaṁtataḥ

"— how could such a one, so capable, fail to perform his rites with the Lord present? With that very mouth of yours, thought so pure, you reviled Shiva — I shall smash that mouth of yours to pieces with slaps from every side!"

Verse 89 (skanda.4.89.89)

इत्युक्त्वा तस्य दक्षस्य हरपारुष्यभाषिणः ।। चिच्छेद वदनं वीरश्चपेटशतघातनैः ।।

ityuktvā tasya dakṣasya harapāruṣyabhāṣiṇaḥ || ciccheda vadanaṁ vīraścapeṭaśataghātanaiḥ ||

Having said this, the hero, with a hundred blows of slaps, cut off the very face of that Daksha who had spoken so harshly of Hara.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.89.90)

ततस्त्वदितिमुख्यानां मिलितानां महोत्सवे ।। त्रोटयामास कर्णादीन्यंगप्रत्यंगकानि च

tatastvaditimukhyānāṁ militānāṁ mahotsave || troṭayāmāsa karṇādīnyaṁgapratyaṁgakāni ca

Then, among Aditi's chief kinswomen gathered there for the great festival, he tore off their ears and other limbs and members.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.89.91)

वेणीदंडाश्च कासांचित्तेनच्छिन्ना महारुषा ।। कासांचिच्च कराश्छिन्ना कासांचित्कर्तितास्तनाः

veṇīdaṁḍāśca kāsāṁcittenacchinnā mahāruṣā || kāsāṁcicca karāśchinnā kāsāṁcitkartitāstanāḥ

The very braids of some were cut off by him in his great fury; of some, their hands were severed; of some, their breasts were sliced off.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.89.92)

नासापुटांस्तथान्यासां पाटयामास पार्षदः ।। चिच्छेद चांगुलीश्चापि तथान्यासां शिवप्रियः।।

nāsāpuṭāṁstathānyāsāṁ pāṭayāmāsa pārṣadaḥ || ciccheda cāṁgulīścāpi tathānyāsāṁ śivapriyaḥ||

That attendant tore open the nostrils of others; and Shiva's beloved cut off the very fingers of yet others.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.89.93)

ये ये निनिंदुर्देवेशं ये ये च शुश्रुवुस्तदा ।। तेषां जिह्वाश्रुतीः कोपादच्छिनच्चाकरोद्द्विधा

ye ye niniṁdurdeveśaṁ ye ye ca śuśruvustadā || teṣāṁ jihvāśrutīḥ kopādacchinaccākaroddvidhā

Whoever had reviled the god of gods, and whoever had listened to that reviling, their tongues and ears he, in his rage, cut off, and split them in two.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.89.94)

केचिदुल्लंबिता यूपे पाशयित्वा दृढं गले ।। अधोमुखायै देवेशं विहायात्तं महाहविः

kecidullaṁbitā yūpe pāśayitvā dṛḍhaṁ gale || adhomukhāyai deveśaṁ vihāyāttaṁ mahāhaviḥ

Some were bound firmly by the neck and hung up on the sacrificial post, head downward, for their great crime of neglecting the god of gods.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.89.95)

द्विजराजश्च धर्मश्च भृगुमारीचिमुख्यकाः ।। अत्यंतमपमानस्य भाजनं तेन कारिताः

dvijarājaśca dharmaśca bhṛgumārīcimukhyakāḥ || atyaṁtamapamānasya bhājanaṁ tena kāritāḥ

The king of the twice-born, and Dharma, and Bhrigu, Marichi, and other chief sages, were all made by him vessels of extreme dishonour —

Verse 96 (skanda.4.89.96)

एते जामातरस्तस्य यतो दक्षस्य दुर्धियः ।। हित्वा महेश्वरममून्सोपश्यदधिकाञ्शिवात्

ete jāmātarastasya yato dakṣasya durdhiyaḥ || hitvā maheśvaramamūnsopaśyadadhikāñśivāt

because these very sons-in-law of that ill-minded Daksha had been regarded by him as greater than Maheshvara himself, having set Shiva aside.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.89.97)

तानि कुंडानि ते यूपास्ते स्तंभाः स च मंडपः ।। तावेद्यस्तानि पात्राणि तानि हव्यान्यनेकधा

tāni kuṁḍāni te yūpāste staṁbhāḥ sa ca maṁḍapaḥ || tāvedyastāni pātrāṇi tāni havyānyanekadhā

Those very fire-pits, those sacrificial posts, those pillars, that pavilion, those altars, those vessels, those manifold oblations —

Verse 98 (skanda.4.89.98)

ते च वै यज्ञसंभारास्ते ते यज्ञप्रवर्तकाः ।। ते रक्षपालास्तेमंत्रा विनेशुर्हेलयाऽखिलाः

te ca vai yajñasaṁbhārāste te yajñapravartakāḥ || te rakṣapālāstemaṁtrā vineśurhelayā'khilāḥ

those very requisites of the sacrifice, those very organizers of the sacrifice, those very guardians, those very mantras — all of them were destroyed by his mere sport.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.89.99)

स्तोकेनैव हि कालेन यथर्धिः परवंचनात् ।। अर्जिता नश्यति क्षिप्रं दक्षसंपद्गताऽशिवा

stokenaiva hi kālena yathardhiḥ paravaṁcanāt || arjitā naśyati kṣipraṁ dakṣasaṁpadgatā'śivā

Just as prosperity acquired through deceiving others is swiftly destroyed in a very short time, so too did Daksha's fortune, inauspicious as it had become, perish swiftly.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.89.100)

नीते महाक्रतौ तेन सगणेनेदृशीं दशाम् ।। विधिर्विधि विलोपाच्च हरं विज्ञाप्य चानयत्

nīte mahākratau tena sagaṇenedṛśīṁ daśām || vidhirvidhi vilopācca haraṁ vijñāpya cānayat

When that great sacrifice had been brought by him, together with his ganas, to such a state, Brahma, on account of the violation of the sacred rite, informed Hara and brought him there.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.89.101)

तत्र यत्र मखः सोभूदीदृक्षः शिववर्जितः ।। आयातेथ महादेवे वीरभद्रोतिलज्जितः

tatra yatra makhaḥ sobhūdīdṛkṣaḥ śivavarjitaḥ || āyātetha mahādeve vīrabhadrotilajjitaḥ

There, at that very place where the sacrifice, so afflicted and devoid of Shiva, had taken place, once the great god arrived, Virabhadra became exceedingly ashamed.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.89.102)

नत्वा न किंचिदवदद्देवः सर्वमवैत्स्वयम् ।। प्रसाद्य देवदेवेशं सुरज्येष्ठोऽब्रवीत्पुनः

natvā na kiṁcidavadaddevaḥ sarvamavaitsvayam || prasādya devadeveśaṁ surajyeṣṭho'bravītpunaḥ

Having bowed, he said nothing at all; the god himself already knew everything. Having placated the god of gods, the eldest of the gods spoke again:

Verse 103 (skanda.4.89.103)

अपराध्यप्ययं दक्षः संप्रसाद्यः कृषानिधे ।। यथापूर्वं पुनरमून्सर्वान्कारय शंकर

aparādhyapyayaṁ dakṣaḥ saṁprasādyaḥ kṛṣānidhe || yathāpūrvaṁ punaramūnsarvānkāraya śaṁkara

"Though this Daksha has erred, he should now be shown grace, O treasure of compassion. Restore all these things, O Shankara, exactly as they were before."

Verse 104 (skanda.4.89.104)

यथाविधिः प्रवर्तेत वैदिकः पुनरेव हि ।। तथाज्ञा दीयतां शंभो कर्मसिद्ध्यति सेश्वरम्

yathāvidhiḥ pravarteta vaidikaḥ punareva hi || tathājñā dīyatāṁ śaṁbho karmasiddhyati seśvaram

"Let the Vedic ritual proceed once more, exactly as prescribed; grant your command, O Shambhu, that the rite may succeed, this time with the Lord present."

Verse 105 (skanda.4.89.105)

अनीश्वरासु सर्वासु क्रियासु परमेश्वर ।। एवमेव भवत्येव विघ्रजाताः सहस्रशः

anīśvarāsu sarvāsu kriyāsu parameśvara || evameva bhavatyeva vighrajātāḥ sahasraśaḥ

"In every rite performed without the Lord, O supreme Lord, it always turns out exactly like this — a thousand obstacles inevitably arise."

Verse 106 (skanda.4.89.106)

विचारतो वराकोयम दक्षो भक्ततरस्तव ।। कुर्वन्योऽनीश्वरम कर्म परदृष्टांततां गतः

vicārato varākoyama dakṣo bhaktatarastava || kurvanyo'nīśvarama karma paradṛṣṭāṁtatāṁ gataḥ

"On careful reflection, this poor Daksha is, in fact, a great devotee of yours; performing a rite without you present, he has simply become an example for others."

Verse 107 (skanda.4.89.107)

अन्योपि यो महेशानं हित्वा कर्म करिष्यति ।। तस्य तत्कर्मसंसिद्धिर्दक्षस्येव भविष्यति

anyopi yo maheśānaṁ hitvā karma kariṣyati || tasya tatkarmasaṁsiddhirdakṣasyeva bhaviṣyati

"Whoever else too shall perform a rite while setting aside the great Lord — the outcome of his rite shall be exactly like Daksha's."

Verse 108 (skanda.4.89.108)

अतो न कश्चित्किंचिच्च क्वचित्कर्म विना शिवम् ।। विधास्यति निशम्यास्य दक्षत्येदृक्ष चेष्टितम्

ato na kaścitkiṁcicca kvacitkarma vinā śivam || vidhāsyati niśamyāsya dakṣatyedṛkṣa ceṣṭitam

"Therefore, hearing of this very fate of Daksha's, no one anywhere shall ever again undertake any rite whatsoever without Shiva."

Verse 109 (skanda.4.89.109)

विधीरितमिति श्रुत्वा स्मित्वा देवो महेश्वरः ।। वीरमाज्ञापयामास यथापूर्वं प्रकल्पय

vidhīritamiti śrutvā smitvā devo maheśvaraḥ || vīramājñāpayāmāsa yathāpūrvaṁ prakalpaya

Hearing what Brahma had thus said, the god Maheshvara smiled, and commanded the hero: "Restore everything just as it was before."

Verse 110 (skanda.4.89.110)

वीरभद्रोपि तत्सर्वं शर्वाज्ञां प्रतिपद्य च ।। विना दक्षस्य वदनं यथापूर्वमकल्पपयत्

vīrabhadropi tatsarvaṁ śarvājñāṁ pratipadya ca || vinā dakṣasya vadanaṁ yathāpūrvamakalpapayat

And Virabhadra too, receiving that command of Sharva, restored everything just as it had been before — except for Daksha's own face.

Verse 111 (skanda.4.89.111)

ईश्वरं ये विनिंदंति ते मूकाः पशवो ध्रुवम् ।। ततो मेषमुखं दक्षं वीरभद्रो गणो व्यधात्

īśvaraṁ ye viniṁdaṁti te mūkāḥ paśavo dhruvam || tato meṣamukhaṁ dakṣaṁ vīrabhadro gaṇo vyadhāt

"Those who revile the Lord are, in truth, mere dumb beasts" — saying this, Virabhadra, that gana, then gave Daksha the head of a goat.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.89.112)

देवो ब्रह्माणमापृच्छय धर्माद्गार्हस्थ्यतश्च्युतः ।। सपापं दोहिमप्रस्थं जगाम तपसे ततः

devo brahmāṇamāpṛcchaya dharmādgārhasthyataścyutaḥ || sapāpaṁ dohimaprasthaṁ jagāma tapase tataḥ

The god took leave of Brahma; and Daksha, fallen from the householder's dharma, that sinful one, then went to a place named Dohimaprastha for austerity.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.89.113)

अनाश्रमवता पुंसा यतः कालो मनागपि ।। मुधा कलयितव्यो न तस्माच्छ्रेयः सदा श्रम

anāśramavatā puṁsā yataḥ kālo manāgapi || mudhā kalayitavyo na tasmācchreyaḥ sadā śrama

For a man without a proper station in life, not even a moment of time should be spent in vain; therefore, effort is always the true blessing.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.89.114)

अतः स सर्वं तपसां फलदाता महेश्वरः ।। तपश्चचार सगणो ब्रह्मा दक्षं त्वशिक्षयत्

ataḥ sa sarvaṁ tapasāṁ phaladātā maheśvaraḥ || tapaścacāra sagaṇo brahmā dakṣaṁ tvaśikṣayat

And so that great Lord, the very giver of the fruit of all austerities, himself performed austerity, together with his ganas; and Brahma instructed Daksha:

Verse 115 (skanda.4.89.115)

हरनिंदा समुद्भूत पापपंकं सुदुस्त्यजम् ।। यदि क्षालयितुं कांक्षा तदा वाराणसीं व्रज

haraniṁdā samudbhūta pāpapaṁkaṁ sudustyajam || yadi kṣālayituṁ kāṁkṣā tadā vārāṇasīṁ vraja

"If you desire to wash away the mire of sin, so hard to shed, that has arisen from your reviling of Hara, then go to Varanasi."

Verse 116 (skanda.4.89.116)

प्राप्य वाराणसीं पुण्यां महापापौघहारिणीम् ।। कुरु लिंगप्रतिष्ठां त्वं तेन शंभुः स तुष्यति

prāpya vārāṇasīṁ puṇyāṁ mahāpāpaughahāriṇīm || kuru liṁgapratiṣṭhāṁ tvaṁ tena śaṁbhuḥ sa tuṣyati

"Having reached holy Varanasi, remover of the whole flood of great sin, establish a linga there; by that, Shambhu shall be pleased."

Verse 117 (skanda.4.89.117)

तुष्टे महेश्वरे तुष्टं जगदेतच्चराचरम् ।। नान्यत्र पापं ते गंतृ विना वाराणसीं पुरीम्

tuṣṭe maheśvare tuṣṭaṁ jagadetaccarācaram || nānyatra pāpaṁ te gaṁtṛ vinā vārāṇasīṁ purīm

"When the great Lord is pleased, this entire world, moving and unmoving, is pleased. Your sin can find release nowhere except in the city of Varanasi."

Verse 118 (skanda.4.89.118)

ब्रह्महत्यादि पापानां प्रायश्चित्तं मनीषिभिः ।। प्रोक्तं न हरनिंदायास्तत्र काश्येव केवलम

brahmahatyādi pāpānāṁ prāyaścittaṁ manīṣibhiḥ || proktaṁ na haraniṁdāyāstatra kāśyeva kevalama

"For sins beginning with the killing of a brahmin, the wise have prescribed various atonements; but for the sin of reviling Hara, they have prescribed Kashi alone, and nothing else."

Verse 119 (skanda.4.89.119)

काश्यां लिंगप्रतिष्ठायैः कृताऽत्र सुकृतात्मभिः ।। सर्वे धर्माः कृतास्तैस्तु त एव पुरुषार्थिनः

kāśyāṁ liṁgapratiṣṭhāyaiḥ kṛtā'tra sukṛtātmabhiḥ || sarve dharmāḥ kṛtāstaistu ta eva puruṣārthinaḥ

"By the virtuous souls here who establish a linga at Kashi, every dharma is thereby fulfilled; they alone are the ones who have truly achieved the aims of human life."

Verse 120 (skanda.4.89.120)

इत्याकर्ण्य विधेर्वाक्यं दक्षः प्राप्याथ सत्वरम् ।। अविमुक्तं महाक्षेत्रं तताप परमं तपः

ityākarṇya vidhervākyaṁ dakṣaḥ prāpyātha satvaram || avimuktaṁ mahākṣetraṁ tatāpa paramaṁ tapaḥ

Hearing this speech of Brahma, Daksha then swiftly came to the great sacred field of Avimukta, and performed supreme austerity there.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.89.121)

संस्थाप्य लिंगं विधिवल्लिंगाराधनतत्परः ।। न वेत्ति लिंगादपरं स किंचिज्जगतीतले

saṁsthāpya liṁgaṁ vidhivalliṁgārādhanatatparaḥ || na vetti liṁgādaparaṁ sa kiṁcijjagatītale

Having duly established a linga, devoted wholly to its worship, he knew nothing else at all upon this earth apart from that linga.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.89.122)

दिवानिशं महेशानं परिष्टौति समर्चति ।। नमति ध्यायतीक्षेत दक्षो दक्षप्रजापतिः

divāniśaṁ maheśānaṁ pariṣṭauti samarcati || namati dhyāyatīkṣeta dakṣo dakṣaprajāpatiḥ

Day and night, Daksha, that skilled Prajapati, praised, worshipped, bowed to, meditated upon, and gazed upon the great Lord.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.89.123)

एकचित्तस्य दक्षस्य ध्यायतो लिंगमैश्वरम् ।। समाः सहस्रमगमन्मितं द्वादशसंख्यया

ekacittasya dakṣasya dhyāyato liṁgamaiśvaram || samāḥ sahasramagamanmitaṁ dvādaśasaṁkhyayā

While Daksha, his mind fixed on one thing alone, meditated upon the Lord's linga, twelve thousand years passed by.

Verse 124 (skanda.4.89.124)

मेनां यावत्सती प्राप्य हिमाचलपतिव्रताम् ।। उमारूपाति तपसा पतिं प्राप पिनाकिनम्

menāṁ yāvatsatī prāpya himācalapativratām || umārūpāti tapasā patiṁ prāpa pinākinam

While Sati, having taken birth from Mena, devoted wife of the lord of the Himalayas, in the form of Uma, through her own austerity, attained once more that very lord of the Pinaka as her husband,

Verse 125 (skanda.4.89.125)

तावत्स दक्षस्तपसि निश्चलो लिंगमार्चयत् ।। ततः काशीं समासाद्य सह भर्त्रा गिरींद्रजा

tāvatsa dakṣastapasi niścalo liṁgamārcayat || tataḥ kāśīṁ samāsādya saha bhartrā girīṁdrajā

all that while, that Daksha remained unwavering in his austerity, worshipping the linga. Then, having reached Kashi together with her husband, the mountain-king's daughter,

Verse 126 (skanda.4.89.126)

दृष्ट्वा तं निश्चलहृदं शिवलिंगार्चने रतम् ।। हरं व्यजिज्ञपद्देवी क्षीणोयं तपसा विभो

dṛṣṭvā taṁ niścalahṛdaṁ śivaliṁgārcane ratam || haraṁ vyajijñapaddevī kṣīṇoyaṁ tapasā vibho

seeing him there, his heart unwavering, devoted to the worship of the Shiva-linga, the goddess said to Hara: "This one, my lord, has grown thin from his austerity —"

Verse 127 (skanda.4.89.127)

प्रसादय कृपासिंधो वरणैनं प्रजापतिम् ।। इत्युक्तोऽपर्णया शंभुः प्राह तं दक्षमीशिता ।। २. ।। वरं ब्रूहि महाभाग दास्यामि मनसेप्सितम् ।। इतीशोदितमाकर्ण्य प्रणम्य बहुशो हरम्

prasādaya kṛpāsiṁdho varaṇainaṁ prajāpatim || ityukto'parṇayā śaṁbhuḥ prāha taṁ dakṣamīśitā || 2. || varaṁ brūhi mahābhāga dāsyāmi manasepsitam || itīśoditamākarṇya praṇamya bahuśo haram

"— show him grace, O ocean of compassion, and grant this Prajapati a boon." Thus addressed by Aparna, Shambhu said to Daksha: "Speak your boon, O fortunate one; I shall grant whatever your heart desires." Hearing this word of the Lord, and bowing many times to Hara,

Verse 128 (skanda.4.89.128)

स्तुत्वा नानाविधैः स्तोत्रैः प्रसन्नं वीक्ष्य शंकरम् ।। प्रोवाच देवदेवेशं यदि देयो वरो मम

stutvā nānāvidhaiḥ stotraiḥ prasannaṁ vīkṣya śaṁkaram || provāca devadeveśaṁ yadi deyo varo mama

having praised him with hymns of many kinds, and beholding Shankara well pleased, he said to the god of gods: "If a boon is to be given to me —"

Verse 129 (skanda.4.89.129)

तत्त्वदीय पदद्वंद्वे निर्द्वंद्वा भक्तिरस्तु मे ।। इदं च ते महालिंगं यन्मयाऽत्र प्रतिष्ठितम् ।। अस्मिँल्लिंगे त्वया नाथ स्थातव्यं सर्वदैव हि

tattvadīya padadvaṁdve nirdvaṁdvā bhaktirastu me || idaṁ ca te mahāliṁgaṁ yanmayā'tra pratiṣṭhitam || asmi~lliṁge tvayā nātha sthātavyaṁ sarvadaiva hi

"— then let me have unwavering devotion to your two feet. And as for this great linga of yours, established here by me — in this very linga, my lord, may you abide forever."

Verse 130 (skanda.4.89.130)

। मयापराद्धं यद्देव तत्क्षंतव्यं कृपानिधे ।। एत एव वराः संतु क्रिमन्यैरुत्तमैर्वरैः

| mayāparāddhaṁ yaddeva tatkṣaṁtavyaṁ kṛpānidhe || eta eva varāḥ saṁtu krimanyairuttamairvaraiḥ

"Whatever offence I have committed, O god, may that be forgiven, O treasure of compassion. Let these alone be my boons — what use have I for other, greater boons?"

Verse 131 (skanda.4.89.131)

इति श्रुत्वा महादेवः प्रसन्नोतितरां भवः ।। प्रोवाच च यदुक्तं ते तत्तथास्तु न चान्यथा

iti śrutvā mahādevaḥ prasannotitarāṁ bhavaḥ || provāca ca yaduktaṁ te tattathāstu na cānyathā

Hearing this, the great god Bhava, exceedingly pleased, said: "So be it, exactly as you have said, and not otherwise."

Verse 132 (skanda.4.89.132)

अन्यच्च ते वरं दद्यां तच्छृणुष्व प्रजापते ।। यत्त्वया स्थापितं लिंगमेतद्दक्षेश्वराभिधम्

anyacca te varaṁ dadyāṁ tacchṛṇuṣva prajāpate || yattvayā sthāpitaṁ liṁgametaddakṣeśvarābhidham

"And I shall grant you one more boon besides; listen to it, O Prajapati. This linga, established by you, shall be known as Dakshesvara —"

Verse 133 (skanda.4.89.133)

अस्य संसेवनात्पुंसामपराधसहस्रकम्।। क्षमिष्येहं न संदेहस्तस्मात्पूज्यमिदं जनैः

asya saṁsevanātpuṁsāmaparādhasahasrakam|| kṣamiṣyehaṁ na saṁdehastasmātpūjyamidaṁ janaiḥ

"— and by service to it, I shall forgive a thousand offences of men, without doubt; therefore this linga is to be worshipped by all people."

Verse 134 (skanda.4.89.134)

त्वं तु लिंगार्चनादस्मात्सर्वमान्यो भविष्यसि ।। परार्धद्वितयप्रांते ततो मोक्षमवाप्स्यसि

tvaṁ tu liṁgārcanādasmātsarvamānyo bhaviṣyasi || parārdhadvitayaprāṁte tato mokṣamavāpsyasi

"And you yourself, through the worship of this linga, shall become honoured by all; and at the end of two Parardhas, you shall attain liberation."

Verse 135 (skanda.4.89.135)

इत्युक्त्वा देवदेवेशस्तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं ययौ ।। दक्षोपि गतवान्गेहं परिप्राप्तमनोरथः

ityuktvā devadeveśastasmi~lliṁge layaṁ yayau || dakṣopi gatavāngehaṁ pariprāptamanorathaḥ

Having said this, the god of gods merged into that very linga; and Daksha too returned home, his heart's desire now fulfilled.

Verse 136 (skanda.4.89.136)

।। स्कंद उवाच ।। ।। इत्यगस्त्य समाख्यातो दक्षेश्वरसमुद्भवः ।। यं श्रुत्वा मुच्यते जंतुरपराध शतैरपि

|| skaṁda uvāca || || ityagastya samākhyāto dakṣeśvarasamudbhavaḥ || yaṁ śrutvā mucyate jaṁturaparādha śatairapi

Skanda said: Thus, O Agastya, has the origin of Dakshesvara been related — hearing which, a creature is freed even from a hundred offences.

Verse 137 (skanda.4.89.137)

श्रुत्वाख्यानमिदं पुण्यं दक्षेश्वरसमुद्भवम् ।। नरो न लिप्यते पापैरपराधालयोपि हि

śrutvākhyānamidaṁ puṇyaṁ dakṣeśvarasamudbhavam || naro na lipyate pāpairaparādhālayopi hi

Having heard this holy narrative of the origin of Dakshesvara, a man is never tainted by sins, even though he be a very abode of transgressions.