दृश्यं विनश्वरं सर्वं विशेषाद्यदनीश्वरम्
All that is seen is perishable, distinguished only by attributes, and is not sovereign.
अभाविनो हि भावस्य भावः क्वापि न संभवेत्
For from non-existence, existence can never arise anywhere.
शंभूदीरितमाकर्ण्य स इत्थं मुनिपुंगवः
Hearing these words spoken by Śambhu, that foremost sage reflected thus.
अवश्यमेव यद्भाव्यं तद्भूतं नात्र संशयः
Whatever must certainly come to be, has indeed come to pass—of this there is no doubt.
नापचीयेत ते किंचिन्नोपचीयेत तत्त्वतः 4.2.89.
In truth, nothing of yours diminishes, nor does it increase.
अहो वराकः संसारः क्व भविष्यत्यनीश्वरः
Alas, how pitiable is this worldly existence, which, being without a lord, will come to what end?
यतः प्रजापतिर्दक्षो न त्वामाहूतवान्क्रतौ
Because Prajāpati Dakṣa did not invite you to the sacrifice,
तव रीढां करिष्यंति किमैश्वर्येण रीढिनाम् अथैश्वर्येण संपन्नाः प्रतिष्ठाभाजनं किमु
What shame can they bring upon you by their wealth, O Lord of riches? Or, being endowed with power, what foundation do they possess?
महीयसायुषा तेषां वसुभिर्भूरिभिश्च किम्
Of what value to them are long life or abundant riches?
अचेतनाश्च सावज्ञा जीवंतोपि न कीर्तये
Those devoid of consciousness are contemptible; even among the living, I do not praise them.
या त्वद्विनिंदाश्रवणात्तृणीचक्रे स्वजीवितम्
She who, upon hearing your reproach, regarded her own life as mere straw—
सत्यं मुने सती देवी तृणीचक्रे स्वजीवितम्
Indeed, O sage, the goddess Satī considered her own life as straw.
रुद्रश्चातीवरुद्रोभूद्बहुकोपाग्निदीपितः
And Rudra became exceedingly wrathful, inflamed by many fires of anger.
प्रत्यक्षः प्रतिमाकारः कालमृत्युप्रकंपनः
He appeared in person, in a terrifying form, shaking even Time and Death.
आज्ञां देहि पितः किं ते करवै दास्यमुत्तमम् 4.2.89.
Command me, Father—what excellent service shall I perform for you?
पिबामि चार्णवान्सप्ताप्येकेन चुलुकेन वै
I will drink even the seven oceans with a single handful.
त्वदाज्ञया नयामीश विनिमय्य स्वहेलया
By your command, O Lord, I will accomplish it, exchanging it for my own slight effort.
अपि वैकुंठनाथश्चेत्तत्साहाय्यं करिष्यति
Even the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha will assist in this task, if needed.
दनुजा दितिजाः के वै वरा कारणदुर्बलाः
Who are the Dānavas and the Ditijas, those so-called great ones, weak in their very cause?
कालं बध्नामि वा संख्ये मृत्योर्वा मृत्युमर्थये
Shall I bind Time itself in battle, or seek out death for Death?
त्वद्बलेन महेशान न कोपि स्थैर्यमेष्यति
By your strength, O Lord of great lords, no one will attain steadfastness.
कदलीदलवद्वाताद्वेपते सरसातलम्
Like the surface of a lake trembling from the wind upon a plantain leaf.
किं बहूक्तेन देह्याज्ञां ममासाध्यं न किंचन
Why speak at length? Give me your command—nothing is impossible for me.
इति प्रतिज्ञां तस्येशः श्रुत्वा कृतममन्यत
Hearing his vow, the Lord considered it as already accomplished.
महावीरोसि रे भद्र मम सर्वगणेष्विह 4.2.89.
You are a great hero, O blessed one, among all my hosts here.
कुरु मे सत्वरं कार्यं दक्षयज्ञं क्षयं नय
Quickly accomplish my task: bring about the destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice.
ते त्वयाप्यवमंतव्या व्रज पुत्र शुभोदय
Those there are to be disregarded by you as well; go, my son, with auspicious fortune.
हरं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य जग्मिवानतिरंहसा
Having circumambulated Hara, he departed without delay.
शतकोटिमितानुग्रान्गणानन्न्यानवासृजत्
He released other hosts, numbering a hundred crore, each fierce.
केचित्तदनुगा जाताः केचित्तत्पार्श्वगा ययुः
Some became his followers, others went to his side.