एष तीर्थवरः पुण्यो देवगन्धर्वपूजितः
This is a most holy ford, honored by gods and gandharvas.
स्नातमात्रस्य चाद्यैव कपालं परिमोक्ष्यति
For one who bathes here today, the skull will immediately be released.
कपालमोचनेत्येवं तीर्थं चेदं भविष्यति
Therefore, this ford will be known as Kapālamocana, the place where the skull is released.
कपालमोचने सस्नौ वेदोस्तविधिना मुने
He bathed at Kapālamocana according to Vedic rite, O sage.
नाम्ना बभूवाथ कपालमोचनं तत्तीर्थवर्यं भगवत्प्रसादात्
By the grace of the Blessed Lord, that excellent ford became known by the name Kapālamocana.
अनेन कारणेनासौ दक्षेण न निमन्त्रितः
For this reason, he was not invited by Dakṣa.
यज्ञे चार्हापि दुहिता दक्षेण न निमन्त्रिता
Nor was his worthy daughter invited by Dakṣa to the sacrifice.
जया जगाम शैलेन्द्रं मन्दरं चारुकन्दरम्
Jayā went to the lord of mountains, to Mandara with its lovely caves.
किमर्थं विजया नागाज्जयन्ती चापराजिता
Why did Vijayā not go, and Jayantī and Aparājitā?
गता निमन्त्रिताः सर्वा मखे मातामहस्य ताः
All those who were invited went to their maternal grandfather’s sacrifice.
अहं समागता द्रष्टुं त्वां तत्र गमनोत्सुका
I have come here, eager to see you and to go there.
नामन्त्रितासि तातेन उताहोस्विद् व्रजिष्यसि
Were you not invited by your father, or will you go anyway?
मातृष्वसः शशाङ्कश्च सपत्नीको गतः क्रतुम्
My maternal uncle Śaśāṅka also went to the sacrifice with his wife.
निमन्त्रिताः क्रतौ सर्वे किं नासि त्वं निमन्त्रिता
All were invited to the sacrifice; why were you not invited?
मन्युनाभिप्लुता ब्रह्मन् पञ्चत्वमगमत् ततः
Overcome by anger, O Brahmin, she then met her end.
मुञ्चती वारि नेत्राभ्यां सस्वरं विललाप ह
Tears streaming from her eyes, she wailed aloud.
आः किमेतदितीत्युक्त्वा जयाभ्याशमुपागतः
Saying, 'Ah, what is this?' he approached Jaya.
कृत्तां परशुना भूमौ श्लथाङ्गीं पतितां सतीम्
He saw her, righteous and fallen to the ground, her limbs slack, struck down by an axe.
किमियं पतिता भूमौ निकृत्तेव लता सती
Why has she fallen to the ground, like a severed vine, though virtuous?
श्रत्वा मखस्था दक्षस्य भगिन्यः पतिभिः सह
Hearing of this, Daksha's sisters at the sacrifice, along with their husbands—
मातृष्वसा विपन्नेयमन्तर्दुःखेन दह्यती
Her maternal aunt, burning with inner grief, was undone.
क्रुद्धस्य सर्वगात्रेभ्यो निश्चेरुः सहसार्चिषः
From the furious one’s whole body, flames burst forth.
गणाः सिंहमुखा जाता वीरभद्रपुरोगमाः
Hosts with lion faces arose, led by Virabhadra.
गतः कनखलं तस्माद् यत्र दक्षो ऽयजत् क्रतुम्
He went to Kanakhala, where Daksha was performing the sacrifice.
दिशि प्रतीच्युत्तरायां तस्थौ शूलधरो मुने
In the northwestern direction, O sage, the trident-bearer stood.
मध्ये त्रिरशूलधृक् शर्वस्तस्थौ क्रोधान्महामुने
In the center, Sharva stood, holding a trident in three places, out of wrath, O great sage.
ऋषयो यक्षगन्धर्वाः किमिदं त्वित्यचिन्तयन्
The seers, yakshas, and gandharvas wondered, 'What is this?'
द्वारपालस्तदा धर्मो वीरभद्रमुपाद्रवत्
Then Dharma, the gatekeeper, rushed at Virabhadra.
करेणैकेन जग्राह त्रिशुलं वह्निसन्निभम्
With one hand he seized a trident, blazing like fire.
चतुर्थेन गदां गृह्य धर्ममभ्यद्रवद् गणः
With a fourth hand grasping a mace, the host charged at Dharma.