रक्षकं जगतां देवं जगाम शरणं स्वयम्
The god, protector of the worlds, himself sought refuge.
रक्षते भगवान् विष्णुः शरणागतरक्षकः
The blessed Viṣṇu protects, as the guardian of those who seek refuge.
संप्रेक्ष्यर्षिगणान् देवान् सर्वान् वै ब्रह्मविद्विषः
Having observed the groups of sages and all the gods, hostile to Brahman,
नरः पापमवाप्नोति महद् वै नात्र संशयः
A man incurs great sin; there is no doubt about this.
दण्डो देवकृतस्तत्र सद्यः पतति दारुणः
There, the punishment created by the gods falls immediately and terribly.
समागतान् ब्राह्मणांस्तान् दक्षसाहाय्यकारिणः
Those brāhmaṇas who had gathered, assisting Dakṣa,
विनिन्दितो महादेवः शङ्करो लोकवन्दितः
Mahādeva Śaṅkara, revered by the world, was reviled.
निन्दन्तो ह्यैश्वरं मार्गं कुशास्त्रासक्तमानसाः
Indeed, those whose minds are attached to false teachings revile the divine path.
प्राप्य घोरं कलियुगं कलिजैः किल पीडिताः
Having entered the dreadful Kali age, afflicted indeed by the qualities of Kali,
भविष्यति हृषीकेशः स्वाश्रितो ऽपि पराङ्मुखः
Even though resorted to by his own devotees, Hṛṣīkeśa will become indifferent.
जगाम मनसा रुद्रमशेषाघविनाशनम्
He turned his mind toward Rudra, the destroyer of all sins.
पतिं पशुपतिं देवं ज्ञात्वैतत् प्राह सर्वदृक्
Recognizing the Lord of beings, Paśupati, the all-seeing one spoke thus.
विनिन्द्य भवतो भावमात्मानं चापि शङ्कर
O Śaṅkara, having disparaged your nature and my own self,
विनाशयाशु तं यज्ञं वरमेकं वृणोम्यहम्
I ask for one boon: swiftly destroy that sacrifice.
ससर्ज सहसा रुद्रं दक्षयज्ञजिघांसया
With the intent to destroy Dakṣa's sacrifice, he suddenly created Rudra.
सहस्त्रपाणिं दुर्धर्षं युगान्तानलसन्निभम्
With a thousand arms, unassailable, resembling the fire at the end of the age,
दण्डहस्तं महानादं शार्ङ्गिणं भूतिभूषणम्
Holding a staff, with a mighty roar, bearing a bow, adorned with ashes,
स जातमात्रो देवेशमुपतस्थे कृताञ्जलिः
As soon as he was born, he approached the Lord of the gods with joined palms.
विनिन्द्य मां स यजते गङ्गाद्वारे गणेश्वर
O Lord of Gaṇas, he performs sacrifice at Gaṅgādvāra, having reviled me.
वीरभद्रेण दक्षस्य विनाशमगमत् क्रतुः
By Vīrabhadra, Dakṣa's sacrifice met with destruction.
तया च सार्धं वृषभं समारुह्य ययौ गणः
With her, he mounted the bull and the Gaṇa departed.
रोमजा इति विख्यातास्तस्य साहाय्यकारिणः
Those who aided him became renowned as Romajās.
कालाग्निरुद्रसंकाशा नादयन्तो दिशो दश
Resembling Kālāgni-Rudra, they resounded in the ten directions.
समावृत्य गणश्रेष्ठं ययुर्दक्षमखं प्रति
Encircling the chief of the Gaṇas, they went toward Dakṣa's sacrifice.
ददृशुर्यज्ञदेशं तं दक्षस्यामिततेजसः
They beheld that sacrificial place of Dakṣa, of immeasurable splendor.
वीणावेणुनिनादाढ्यं वेदवादाभिनादितम्
Filled with the sounds of vīṇās and flutes, and resounding with Vedic recitations.
उवाच भद्रया रुद्रैर्वोरभद्रः स्मयन्निव
Then Vīrabhadra, with a slight smile, spoke to Rudra in a gentle manner.
भागाभिलप्सया प्राप्ता भागान् यच्छध्वमीप्सितान्
Desiring a share, he said, 'You have come seeking portions; grant the shares you wish for.'
तं ब्रूताज्ञापयति यो वेत्स्यामो हि वयं ततः
Tell him: 'Let him command what he wishes, for we will act accordingly.'
देवा ऊचुर्यज्ञभागे न च मन्त्रा इति प्रभुम्
The gods said, 'There is no portion of the sacrifice, nor are there mantras for the Lord.'