Daksha, intent on performing a grand sacrifice according to ancient rites, prepared the sacred grounds. At his summons, all the gods, led by mighty Indra, assembled for the occasion. They descended from their celestial abodes, approaching Daksha in radiant, blazing chariots that shone with divine brilliance. With the gods’ consent, the great assembly proceeded to the gateway of the Ganga, a place of beauty crowded with Gandharvas and Apsaras, covered in lush trees and winding vines. There, surrounded by sages and perfected beings, Daksha—the foremost upholder of dharma—stood among those who dwell on earth, in the sky, and in the heavenly worlds. All present, with joined palms in reverence, approached Daksha, the Lord of Creatures. Among them were the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Sadhyas, and the many hosts of Maruts. The recipients of the sacrifice arrived as well, accompanied by Vishnu himself: the Ushmapas, Dhumapas, Ajyapas, and Somapas. The Ashvins and Maruts came with their celestial retinues, joined by many other divine and semi-divine beings. Not only gods but all beings—those born from womb, egg, sweat, and sprout—gathered. Sacrificers, gods, women, and sages alike arrived at the sacred place. They stood in their chariots, shining and blazing like fires, filling the area with their splendor. Amidst this gathering, the sage Dadhichi, witnessing the scene, was overcome with anger and spoke out. “A man incurs great sin,” he declared, “by honoring the unworthy and failing to honor those who are truly worthy.” Turning to Daksha, he questioned, “Why do you not worship the true Lord of Creatures, who is most deserving of honor? There are many Rudras of mine, bearing tridents and matted hair, established in eleven places. We know no greater lord than him. For all, there is but one mantra, yet my lord is not invited. Beyond Shankara, I see no other deity. Thus, Daksha's grand sacrifice will not succeed.” Dadhichi continued, “Various shares have been allotted to Vishnu and the Rudras, and other gods as well. I distribute shares, but none are given to Shankara.” Hearing this, the gods understood the gravity of the situation and went to the daughter of the mountain king, Parvati, who spoke to Sharva, the Lord and Master of Creatures. “O blessed one,” she asked Shiva, “where are these gods, led by Indra, headed? Please tell me truly, for a great doubt has arisen in my mind.” Shiva replied, “Daksha, the eminent lord of creatures, is performing a horse sacrifice, and the heavenly beings are going there.” Parvati pressed further, “O greatly fortunate one, why do you not go to this sacrifice? By what prohibition is your presence not permitted?” Shiva answered, “All this has been arranged by the gods alone. In all sacrifices, no share has ever been allotted to me.” Parvati, her heart troubled, said, “O one of lovely complexion, you surpass all gods in power and virtue; you are unconquerable, radiant, and glorious. Yet, by this exclusion, I have suffered great sorrow and trembling. What gift, discipline, or austerity should I perform so that you, my lord, might obtain a share in the sacrifice among Indra and the other gods?” Shiva replied, “I know, O wide-eyed one, through meditation, and all the virtuous know as well; but today, through your delusion, along with Indra and the gods, all three worlds are being destroyed. They praise me as lord of the sacrifice; they sing the Rathantara Sāma for me; the Brahmins worship me with Brahma-mantras; my priests prepare my share. Yet you boast like an ordinary person in the assembly of women and praise yourself out of pride—there is no doubt.” He continued gently, “O goddess of the gods, I do not praise myself as you do. But for the sake of the share, I will protect you.” Having spoken thus to his beloved wife Uma, the blessed lord created from his mouth a being born of the fire of his wrath. He commanded this being, “Go to Daksha’s sacrifice. You are Maheshvara for Daksha; swiftly destroy his ritual, with my permission.” At that moment, the goddess, at Rudra’s command, assumed the form of a lion for sport, and, filled with wrath, destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice. Bhadrakali, the great and fearsome Maheshvari, accompanied by her fierce followers, was present as a witness to her own deed, united with that wrath. This divine being, Wrath, who made the abode of spirits his dwelling, became renowned as Virabhadra—the one who wipes away the goddess’s anger. Virabhadra then created from the pores of his own body the lords of the hosts—fierce followers of Rudra, born of his power and might. These attendants of Rudra, each possessing his formidable strength, descended by the hundreds and thousands to the sacrificial ground. A tremendous clamor arose, filling the sky, as all the hosts of Rudra assembled. Terrified by the great sound, the dwellers of heaven trembled; mountains crumbled, and even the earth itself shook. The winds howled violently, Varuna’s abode was disturbed, the fires would not burn, and the sun refused to shine. The planets, stars, and constellations lost their light; the sages, gods, and demons gave no radiance. In that darkness, the lords of the hosts began to burn everything in their path, while others broke and uprooted the terrible sacrificial posts, bringing utter ruin to Daksha’s grand sacrifice.