मूर्द्धनिध्रियमाणानि सर्वतोग्राणि सर्वशः पटहा गोमुखाश्चैव श्रृंगाणि विविधानि च॥ ३.
All around, on their heads, were placed fierce drums, gomukha horns, and various other instruments.
ततोऽवाद्यंत तान्येव घनानि सुषिराणि च ३.
Then those drums and wind instruments were sounded.
अनेकलास्यसंयुक्ता वीरभद्राग्रतोभवन् ३.
With many kinds of music, they marched at the forefront of Vīrabhadra.
तेन नादेन महता नादितं भुवनत्रयम् ३.
By that great sound, the three worlds resounded.
यज्ञवाटं च दक्षस्य विनाशार्थं प्रहारिणः ३.
They, armed for destruction, advanced to destroy Dakṣa's sacrificial ground.
सप्तद्वीपवती पृथ्वी चचाल साद्रिकानना ३.
The earth, with its seven continents, shook along with its mountains and forests.
उत्तस्थुर्युगपत्सर्वे देवदैत्यनिशाचराः ३.
All the gods, demons, and night-wanderers rose up at once.
पृथ्वीं केचित्समायाता गगने केचिदागताः ३.
Some arrived upon the earth, others came through the sky.
अनंता ह्यक्षयाः सर्वे शूरा रुद्रसमा युधि दृष्ट्वो चुर्विस्मिताः सर्वे यामोऽद्य शस्त्रपाणयः॥ ३.
All were countless, inexhaustible, and valiant, equal to Rudra in battle; seeing them, all were amazed, armed with weapons, ready to fight today.
इंद्रो हि गजमारूढो मृगारूढः सदागतिः ३.
Indra was mounted on his elephant, and Sadagati rode upon a deer.
कुबेरः पुष्पकारूढः पाशी मकरमेव च ३.
Kubera rode the Pushpaka chariot, holding a noose, and also a makara.
तथान्ये सुरसंघाश्च यक्षचारणगुह्यकाः ३.
Likewise, other hosts of gods, along with yakshas, charanas, and guhyakas, assembled.
स्वेषामुद्योगमालोक्य दक्षश्चाश्रुमुखस्ततः ३.
Seeing the preparations of his own, Daksha then became tearful.
युष्मद्बलेनैव मया यज्ञः प्रारंभितो महान् ३.
It is by your strength alone that I have begun this great sacrifice.
विष्णो त्वं कर्मणः साक्षाद्यज्ञानां परिपालकः ३.
O Vishnu, you are directly the protector of actions and of sacrifices.
तस्माद्रक्षा विधातव्या यज्ञस्याऽस्य महाप्रभो ३.
Therefore, O great lord, protection of this sacrifice must be ensured.
मया रक्षा विधातव्या धर्मस्य परिपालने ३.
It is I who must ensure the protection of dharma.
यातस्त्वद्यैव यज्ञस्य यत्त्वयोक्तं सदाशिवम् ३.
Today you have come for the sake of the sacrifice, as you yourself have said, O Sadashiva.
योऽयं रुद्रो महातेजा यज्ञरूपः सदाशिवः ३.
This Rudra, of great brilliance, is Sadashiva in the form of sacrifice.
रुद्रकोपाच्च को ह्यत्र समर्थो रक्षणे तव ३.
Who here is capable of protecting you against Rudra's wrath?
किं कर्म्म किमकर्म्मेति तन्न पश्यसि दुर्म्मते ३.
What is action, what is inaction—you do not see this, O misguided one.
सेश्वरं कर्म विद्ध्योतत्समर्थत्वेन जायते ३.
Know that action, when endowed with the Lord, arises with manifest power.
ईश्वरस्य च ये भक्ताः शांतास्तद्गतमानसाः ३.
Those who are devoted to the Lord, peaceful, with minds absorbed in Him,
केवलं कर्म चाश्रित्य निरीश्वरपरा जनाः ३.
But those people who rely solely on action, intent on what is not of the Lord,
पुनः कर्ममयैः पाशैर्बद्धा जन्मनिजन्मनि ३.
Again, bound by the fetters of karma, they are born life after life.
विष्णुनोक्तं वचः श्रुत्वा दक्षो वचनमब्रवीत् ४.
Hearing the words spoken by Viṣṇu, Dakṣa replied.
वैदिकं कर्म चोत्सृज्य कथं सेश्वरतां व्रजेत् ४.
How can one attain union with the Lord by abandoning Vedic ritual action?
दक्षेणोक्तो महाविष्णुरुवाच परिसांत्वयन् ४.
Addressed by Dakṣa, the great Viṣṇu spoke, consoling him.
वेदोदितानि कर्माणि ईश्वरेण विना कथम् ४.
How can the actions enjoined by the Vedas be performed without the Lord?
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन ईश्वरं शरणं व्रऐजा वीरभद्रेण सदृशो ददृशुस्तं तदा सुराः॥ ४.
Therefore, with all effort, seek refuge in the Lord; at that time, the gods saw one resembling Vīrabhadra.