Vayu Purana

दशभ्यस्तु प्रचेतोभ्यो मार्षायाञ्च पुनर्नृपः। जज्ञे रुद्राभिशापेन द्वितीयेऽस्मिन्निति श्रुतिः ।। ३०.

From the ten Pracetas and Mārṣā, O King, Dakṣa was again born by the curse of Rudra in this second birth, as is known from tradition.

भृग्वादयस्तु ते सर्वे जज्ञिरे वै महर्षयः। आद्ये त्रेतायुगे पूर्वं मनोर्वैवस्वतस्य ह। देवस्य महतो यज्ञे रुद्राभिशापेन द्वितीयेऽस्मिन्निति श्रुतिः ।। ३०.

All the great sages beginning with Bhṛgu were born in the first Tretā Yuga, in the time of Vaivasvata Manu, during the great sacrifice of the god; and by the curse of Rudra, in this second birth, as is known from tradition.

इति सानुशयोऽह्यासीत्तयोर्जात्यन्तरागतः। प्रजापतेस्तु दक्षस्य त्र्यम्बकस्य च धीमतः ।। ३०.

Thus, there was lingering resentment between Prajāpati Dakṣa and the wise Tryambaka, carried over from a previous birth.

तस्मान्नानुशयः कार्यो वैरिष्विह कदाचन। जात्यन्तरगतस्यापि भावितस्य शुभाशुभैः। जन्तुं न मुञ्चति ख्यातिस्तत्र कार्यं विजानता ।। ३०.

Therefore, one should never harbor resentment toward enemies here, even if they are reborn in another form; for the reputation of one who is shaped by good or bad actions does not leave the being, and this should be understood by the wise.

प्राचेतसस्य दक्षस्य कथं वैवस्वतेऽन्तरे। विनाशामगमत् सूत हयमेधः प्रजापतेः ।। ३०.

How did Prācetas Dakṣa, in the era of Vaivasvata Manu, come to destruction, O Sūta, and how did the horse sacrifice of Prajāpati end?

देव्या मृत्युं कृतं मत्वा क्रुद्धं सर्वात्मकं प्रभुम्। कथं प्रसादयद्दक्षः स यज्ञः साधितः कथम्। एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामस्तन्नो ब्रूहि यथातथम् ।। ३०.

Considering that death was caused by the goddess and the Lord of all, enraged, how did Dakṣa appease him, and how was the sacrifice accomplished? We wish to know this in detail; please tell us exactly as it happened.

पूरा मेरोर्द्विजश्रेष्ठाः श्रृङ्गं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्। ज्योतिष्कं नाम सावित्रं सर्वरत्नविभूषितम् ।। ३०.

Formerly, O best of twice-born, there was a peak of Meru, renowned throughout the three worlds, called Jyotiṣka, adorned with all kinds of jewels and radiant like the sun.

अप्रमेयमनाधृष्यं सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम्। तस्मिन् देवो गिरिश्रेष्ठे सर्वधातु विभूषिते। पर्यङ्क इव विभ्राजन्नुपविष्टो बभूव ह ।। ३०.

Immeasurable, unassailable, and revered by all worlds, on that foremost mountain, resplendent with all elements, the god sat shining like a throne.

शैलराजसुता चास्य नित्यं पार्श्वस्थिताऽभवत्। आधित्याश्च महात्मानो वसवश्चामितौजसः ।। ३०.

The daughter of the mountain-king always stood by his side, and the great-souled Ādityas and the mighty Vasus were present there.

तथैव च महात्मानावश्विनौ भिषजां वरौ। तथा वैश्रवणो राजा गुह्यकैः परिवारितः ।। ३०.

Likewise, the two Aśvins, the foremost among physicians, and King Vaiśravaṇa, surrounded by the Guhyakas, were also present.

यक्षाणामीश्वरः श्रीमान् कैलासनिलयः प्रभुः। उपासते महात्मानं उशना च महामुनिः. सनत्कुमारप्रमुखास्ते चैव परमर्षयः ।। ३०.

The illustrious Lord, master of the Yakṣas and resident of Kailāsa, was worshipped by the great-souled Uśanā, the great sage, and by the eminent sages led by Sanatkumāra.

अङ्गिरःप्रमुखाश्चैव तथा देवर्षयोऽपरे। विश्वावसुश्च गन्धर्वस्तथा नारदपर्वतौ ।। ३०.

Also present were the divine sages led by Aṅgiras, and others, as well as the Gandharva Viśvāvasu, and Nārada and Parvata.

अप्सरोगणसङ्घाश्च समाजग्मुरनेकशः। ववौ शिवः सुखो वायुर्नानागन्धवहः शुचिः ।। ३०.

Hosts of Apsarases gathered there in great numbers; a gentle, fragrant, and pure breeze of Śiva blew.

सर्वर्तुकुसुमोपेताः पुष्पवन्तो द्रुमा स्तथा। तथा विद्याधराश्चैव सिद्धाश्चैव तपोधनाः ।। ३०.

The trees there are adorned with blossoms in every season, always bearing flowers; likewise, Vidyādharas and Siddhas, rich in austerities, are present as well.

महादेवं पशुपतिं पर्युपासन्ति तत्र वै। भूतानि च तथान्यानि नानारूपधराण्यथ ।। ३०.

There, indeed, they worship Mahādeva, Lord of Creatures, and various other beings of many forms are also present.

राक्षसाश्च महारौद्राः पिशाचाश्च महाबलाः। बहुरूपधरा हृष्टा नानाप्रहरणोद्यताः ।। ३०.

There are fierce Rākṣasas, terrifying in form, and powerful Piśācas, taking on many shapes, delighted and armed with diverse weapons.

देवस्यानुचरास्तत्र तस्थुर्वैश्वानरोपमाः। नन्दीश्वरश्च भगवान् देवस्यानुम ते स्थितः ।। ३०.

The attendants of the god stood there, resembling blazing fire; and the blessed Nandīśvara, by the god’s command, was also present.

प्रगृह्य ज्वलितं शूलं दीप्यमानं स्वतेजसा। गङ्गा च सरितां श्वेष्ठा सर्वतीर्थजलोद्भवा। पर्युपासत तन्देवरूपिणी द्विजसत्तमाः ।। ३०.

Holding a blazing trident, shining with his own radiance, and Ganga, the best of rivers, born from the waters of all sacred fords, in divine form, worshipped him, O best of twice-born.

एवं स भगवांस्तत्र दीप्यमानः सुरर्षिभिः। देवैश्च सुमहाबागैर्महादेवो व्यवस्थितः ।। ३०.

Thus, the blessed one stood there, shining among the gods and sages, and among the gods of great might, Mahādeva was established.

पुरा हिमवतः पृष्ठे दक्षो वै यज्ञमारभत्। गङ्गाद्वारे शुभे देशे ऋषिसिद्धनिषेविते ।। ३०.

Long ago, on the slopes of the Himalaya, Dakṣa began a sacrifice at Gaṅgādvāra, a sacred place frequented by sages and perfected beings.

ततस्तस्य मखे देवाः शतक्रतुपुरोगमाः। गमनाय समागम्य बुद्धिमापेदिरे तदा ।। ३०.

Then, at that sacrifice, the gods, led by Indra, assembled together and deliberated about going there.

स्वैर्विमानैर्महात्मानो ज्वलद्भिर्ज्वलनप्रभाः। देवस्यानुमनेऽगच्छन् गङ्गाद्वार इति श्रुतिः ।। ३०.

With their own radiant flying vehicles, shining with fiery brilliance, the great-souled gods went, with the god’s permission, to Gaṅgādvāra, as is heard in tradition.

गन्धर्वाप्सरसाकीर्णं नानाद्रुमलतावृतम्। ऋषिसङ्घैः परिवृतं दक्षं धर्मभृतां वरम् ।। ३०.

Dakṣa, best among upholders of dharma, was surrounded by hosts of sages, and the place was filled with Gandharvas, Apsarases, and covered with various trees and vines.

पृथिव्यामन्तरिक्षे वा ये च स्वर्लोकवासिनः। सर्वे प्राञ्जलयो भूत्वा उपतस्थुः प्रजापतिम् ।। ३०.

All those who dwell on earth, in the sky, or in the heavenly worlds, approached Prajāpati with joined palms, offering their respects.

आदित्या वसवो रुद्राः साध्याः सह मरुद्गणैः। जिष्णुना सहिताः सर्वे आगता यज्ञभागिनः ।। ३०.

The Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Sādhyas, along with the hosts of Maruts, all arrived together with Jishnu, as participants in the sacrifice.

ऊष्मपाः सोमपाश्चैव आज्यपा धूमपास्तथा। अश्विनौ पितरश्चैव आगता ब्रह्मणा सह ।। ३०.

The Ūṣmapās, Somapās, Ājyapās, Dhūmapās, the Aśvins, and the Pitṛs also came, together with Brahmā.

एते चान्ये च बहवो भूतग्रामास्तथैव च। जरायुजाण्डजाश्चैव स्वेदजोद्भिज्जकास्तथा ।। ३०.

These and many other hosts of beings, those born from womb, egg, sweat, or sprouting, likewise assembled there.

आहूता मन्त्रतः सर्वे देवाश्च सह पत्निभिः। विराजन्ते विमानस्था दीप्यमाना इवाग्नयः ।। ३०.

All the gods, summoned by mantras, together with their wives, shone forth, standing in their flying vehicles, blazing like fires.

तान् दष्ट्वा मन्युमाविष्टो दधीचो वाक्यमब्रवीत्। अपूज्यपूजने चैव पूज्यानां चाप्यपूजने। नरः पापमवाप्नोति महद्वै नात्र संशयः ।। ३०.

Seeing them, Dadhīci, seized by anger, spoke these words: 'One who honors the unworthy or fails to honor the worthy incurs great sin—of this there is no doubt.'