परिग्रस्तप्रजावर्गो भगवानिव भैरवः दग्धत्रिपुरसंव्यूहस्त्रिपुरारिर्यथाभवत्
Like Bhairava, the Lord, surrounded by his hosts, as the destroyer of Tripura, so did he become, consuming the multitude of beings.
एवं देवबलं सर्वं दीनं बीभत्सदर्शनम् गणेश्वरसमुत्पन्नं कृपणं वपुराददे
Thus, the entire army of the gods, wretched and hideous to behold, assumed a pitiable form, born from the lord of the hosts.
तदा त्रिदशवीराणामसृक्सलिलवाहिनी प्रावर्तत नदी घोरा प्राणिनां भयशंसिनी
Then, from the heroes among the gods, a dreadful river of blood began to flow, foretelling terror for living beings.
रुधिरेण परिक्लिन्ना यज्ञभूमिस्तदा बभौ रक्तार्द्रवसना श्यामा हतशुंभेव कैशिकी
The sacrificial ground, drenched with blood, appeared clothed in red, dark as the night, like Kaishiki, bereft of her beauty.
तस्मिन्महति संवृत्ते समरे भृशदारुणे भयेनेव परित्रस्ता प्रचचाल वसुन्धरा
As that great and exceedingly fierce battle unfolded, the earth itself trembled, as if seized by fear.
महोर्मिकलिलावर्तश्चुक्षुभे च महोदधिः पेतुश्चोल्का महोत्पाताः शाखाश्च मुमुचुर्द्रुमाः
The vast ocean surged with mighty waves and whirlpools; blazing meteors fell as great omens, and trees cast down their branches.
अप्रसन्ना दिशः सर्वाः पवनश्चाशिवो ववौ अहो विधिविपर्यासस्त्वश्वमेधोयमध्वरः यजमानस्स्वयं दक्षौ ब्रह्मपुत्रप्रजापतिः
All the quarters became inauspicious, and an unwholesome wind blew; alas, this is a reversal of order—this horse sacrifice is not proper, though the sacrificer is Daksha himself, son of Brahma and lord of creatures.
धर्मादयस्सदस्याश्च रक्षिता गरुडध्वजः भागांश्च प्रतिगृह्णंति साक्षादिंद्रादयः सुराः
The upholders of righteousness and the assembly members were protected by the one with the Garuda banner, and the gods led by Indra directly received their shares.
तथापि यजमानस्य यज्ञस्य च सहर्त्विजः सद्य एव शिरश्छेदस्साधु संपद्यते फलम्
Yet, for the sacrificer and the priests together with the sacrifice, immediate beheading became the result—an unworthy outcome.
तस्मान्नावेदनिर्दिष्टं न चेश्वरबहिष्कृतम्
Therefore, what is not prescribed by the Veda, nor sanctioned by the Lord, should not be performed.
कृत्वापि सुमहत्पुण्यमिष्ट्वा यज्ञशतैरपि न तत्फलमवाप्नोति भक्तिहीनो महेश्वरे
Even performing great merit and sacrificing hundreds of yajñas, one without devotion to the Great Lord does not attain that fruit.
कृत्वापि सुमहत्पापं भक्त्या यजति यश्शिवम् मुच्यते पातकैः सर्वैर्नात्र कार्या विचारणा
Even if one has committed great sin, if he worships Shiva with devotion, he is freed from all sins—there is no doubt about this.
बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन वृथा दानं वृथा तपः वृथा यज्ञो वृथा होमः शिवनिन्दारतस्य तु
Why say more? Charity, austerity, sacrifice, and oblation are all in vain for one who delights in reviling Shiva.
ततः सनारायणकास्सरुद्राः सलोकपालास्समरे सुरौघाः गणेंद्रचापच्युतबाणविद्धाः प्रदुद्रुवुर्गाढरुजाभिभूताः
Then, the hosts of gods—along with Narayana, Rudras, and the guardians of the worlds—struck by the arrows loosed from the bow of the lord of the hosts, fled the battle, overwhelmed by intense pain.
चेलुः क्वचित्केचन शीर्णकेशाः सेदुः क्वचित्केचन दीर्घगात्राः पेतुः क्वचित्केचन भिन्नवक्त्रा नेशुः क्वचित्केचन देववीराः
Some divine heroes wandered with hair disheveled, some staggered with limbs outstretched, some fell with faces shattered, and some could no longer move.
केचिच्च तत्र त्रिदशा विपन्ना विस्रस्तवस्त्राभरणास्त्रशस्त्राः निपेतुरुद्भासितदीनमुद्रा मदं च दर्पं च बलं च हित्वा
There, some of the gods perished, their garments, ornaments, weapons, and armor scattered, collapsing with expressions of utter distress, having abandoned pride, arrogance, and strength.
सस्मुत्पथप्रस्थितमप्रधृष्यो विक्षिप्य दक्षाध्वरमक्षतास्त्रैः बभौ गणेशस्स गणेश्वराणां मध्ये स्थितः सिंह इवर्षभाणाम्
Having routed the path and scattered Daksha's sacrifice with unbroken weapons, the lord of the hosts stood among the leaders of the hosts, shining like a lion among bulls.
इति सञ्छिन्नभिन्नांगा देवा विष्णुपुरोगमाः क्षणात्कष्टां दशामेत्य त्रेसुः स्तोकावशेषिता
Thus, with their bodies shattered and broken, the gods led by Vishnu, in a moment reached a dire state, trembling, with only a few remaining.
त्रस्तांस्तान्समरे वीरान् देवानन्यांश्च वै गणाः प्रमथाः परमक्रुद्धा वीरभद्रप्रणोदिताः
The Pramatha hosts, incited by Virabhadra and filled with supreme fury, pursued those terrified heroes—the gods and others—on the battlefield.
प्रगृह्य च तथा दोषं निगडैरायसैर्दृढैः बबन्धुः पाणिपादेषु कंधरेषूदरेषु च
Seizing them, they bound their hands, feet, necks, and bellies with strong iron fetters.
तस्मिन्नवसरे ब्रह्मा भद्रमद्रीन्द्रजानुतम् सारथ्याल्लब्धवात्सल्यः प्रार्थयन् प्रणतो ऽब्रवीत्
At that moment, Brahma, the blessed one, best of mountains and son of Indra, moved by compassion as a charioteer, approached and spoke in supplication.
अलं क्रोधेन भगवन्नष्टाश्चैते दिवौकसः प्रसीद क्षम्यतां सर्वं रोमजैस्सह सुव्रत
Enough of this anger, O Lord! These dwellers of heaven are destroyed. Be gracious—let all be forgiven, together with the Romajas, O virtuous one.
एवं विज्ञापितस्तेन ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना शमं जगाम संप्रीतो गणपस्तस्य गौरवात्
Thus, having been informed by that Brahmā, the supreme lord, the attendant, out of respect, became peaceful and pleased.
देवाश्च लब्धावसरा देवदेवस्य मंत्रिणः धारयन्तो ऽञ्जलीन्मूर्ध्नि तुष्टुवुर्विविधैः स्तवैः
And the gods, seizing the opportunity, ministers of the god of gods, holding their hands in reverence upon their heads, praised him with various hymns.
रुद्रभद्राय रुद्राणां पतये रुद्रभूतये
To Rudra the auspicious, lord of the Rudras, embodiment of Rudra.
कालाग्निरुद्ररूपाय कालकामांगहारिणे देवतानां शिरोहन्त्रे दक्षस्य च दुरात्मनः
To the form of Kālāgni Rudra, destroyer of the bodies of Kāla and Kāma, slayer of the heads of the gods and of the wicked Dakṣa.
संसर्गादस्य पापस्य दक्षस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः शासिताः समरे वीर त्वया वयमनिन्दिता
Because of association with the sin of Dakṣa, who acts without blemish, we have been punished in battle by you, O hero, and are blameless.
दग्धाश्चामी वयं सर्वे त्वत्तो भीताश्च भो प्रभो त्वमेव गतिरस्माकं त्राहि नश्शरणागतान्
We have all been burned by you, O lord, and are afraid; you alone are our refuge, protect us who have come for shelter.
तुष्टस्त्वेवं स्तुतो देवान् विसृज्य निगडात्प्रभुः आनयद्देवदेवस्य समीपममरानिह
Thus praised and pleased, the lord released the gods from bondage and brought them here to the presence of the god of gods.
देवोपि तत्र भगवानन्तरिक्षे स्थितः प्रभुः सगणः सर्वगः शर्वस्सर्वलोकमहेश्वरः
There, the blessed lord, standing in the sky, with his attendants, all-pervading Śarva, the great lord of all worlds.