Conversation between Vishnu and Virabhadra

Brahma said

While Vishnu was speaking, Indra laughed at him. The vajra-bearer, with the other gods, wished to fight. Indra mounted his elephant, Anala a goat, Yama a buffalo and Nirriti a preta. The noose-bearer rode a makara and the all-going one a deer. Kubera armoured himself carefully and mounted Pushpaka. Many other powerful gods, yakshas, charanas and guhyakas took their own mounts. Seeing their preparations, red-faced Daksha came to them with his wife and said: "I began this great sacrifice relying on your strength. Radiant ones, you are the measure for accomplishing all virtuous tasks." Hearing him, all the gods with Vasava came swiftly out, ready for battle. The whole host of powerful gods fought. Shakra and the other guardians of the worlds were confounded by Shiva's maya. A great battle began between gods and ganas, fought with sharp javelins and iron arrows. At that festival of battle conches and drums sounded, with the loud noise of battle drums, kettledrums and small drums, and the noise stoked the gods' pride. With the guardians of the worlds they began to slaughter Shiva's servants. Tiger among sages, by the force of Bhrigu's mantras Indra and the other guardians made Shambhu's ganas retreat. Bhrigu performed a sacrifice to rout them, to perform the sacrifice for the gods and satisfy those consecrated for it.

Seeing his side beaten, Virabhadra was filled with rage. He told the bhutas, pretas and pishachas to stay behind. The immensely strong one himself rode a bull at the front. Seizing a huge trident he brought the gods down. With great force all the ganas used tridents to slay gods, yakshas, hosts of sadhyas, guhyakas and charanas. Some were cut in two, others uprooted with swords and clubs, and the gods were shattered by other weapons. Beaten so, they all fled; the gods abandoned each other and ran to heaven. Only Shakra and the other guardians stayed, eager to fight that terrible battle, very strong and relying on their fortitude. On the field Shakra and the other gods gathered, bowed humbly and spoke to Brihaspati.

The guardians of the worlds said

Guru Brihaspati, father, wise one, ocean of compassion, tell us quickly how we can win.

Brahma said

Hearing them, Brihaspati made an effort to remember Shambhu and spoke to great Indra, whose knowledge was weak.

Brihaspati said

All that Vishnu said earlier has come true. Indra, I will add to it; listen closely. There is a lord of sacrifices who gives the fruits of every act. He does nothing himself but has it done by the apparent agent. All the mantras, herbs, abhicharas, ordinary tasks, karma, Vedas, mimamsas and many other Vedic texts cannot know Isha; all the ancients have said so. Mahesha cannot be known by any of these Vedic texts. He can be known only by taking refuge in bhakti. That is the great learning. By supreme serenity, a vision that is indifferent in every way, and his favour, Sadashiva can indeed be known. Having examined it, I will tell you what should and should not be done, lords of gods, for your success. Listen to what is good for you. Indra, through your childishness you came to Daksha's sacrifice, with the other guardians of the worlds. What will you do with this prowess? These very angry ganas have Rudra as their aide. They have come to obstruct the sacrifice, and without doubt they will do it. There is no means of countering it. There will be obstacles to the sacrifice. This is the truth.

Brahma said

The residents of heaven heard Brihaspati, and with Vasava all the guardians of the worlds were full of thought. Surrounded by the valiant ganas, Virabhadra remembered Shankara in his mind and spoke to Indra and the other guardians.

Virabhadra said

Fools, you all came here expecting to receive a gift. Now I will give you a return gift. Come near me and I will give you that avadana. Shakra, Shuchi, Bhanu, Shashin, lord of riches, noose-bearer, Vayu, Nirriti, Yama, Shesha, host of gods, you are indeed discriminating. Supreme among the wicked, I will grant you avadana and satisfy you now.

Brahma said

Saying this in rage, Virabhadra, foremost among the ganas, struck them at once with sharp arrows. All the gods, Vasava and the other lords of the gods, were hit by the arrows and fled in the ten directions.

When the gods and guardians had gone, Virabhadra and the ganas approached the sacrificial ground. All the rishis were afraid and wanted to tell Rama's consort quickly, and very anxious, they spoke urgently: "Lord of gods, Rama's consort, Sarveshvara, great lord, save Daksha's sacrifice. You are the sacrifice, its performer, its form and limb and its protector. Save it, protect it; no one but you can." Hari heard the frightened rishis and wished to fight Virabhadra. The four-armed one armoured himself and took the chakra as his weapon in hand. With the immortals the immensely strong one came out of the sacrificial ground. Trident in hand, Virabhadra with many ganas saw the great lord Vishnu armoured and ready to fight. Seeing him, he knit his brows and forehead and faced him as the Destroyer faces a sinner, or the lion an elephant. Virabhadra, crusher of enemies, looked at Hari, angry and surrounded by brave ganas, and swiftly spoke.

Virabhadra said

Hari, you have broken the pledge you made to Mahadeva. How is your mind now so full of insolence? What has happened to you? Do you have the strength to violate Shri Rudra's pledge? Who are you? Who in the three worlds will save you? Why did you come? We do not know the reason. How did you become a saviour of Daksha's sacrifice? Explain it. Have you not seen what Dakshayani did? Have you not heard what Dadhichi said? You also came to Daksha's sacrifice to receive gifts. Mighty-armed one, so I will give you avadana too. Hari, I will shatter your chest with my trident. Why did you come into my presence? Who will save you now? I will bring you down on the surface of the earth and burn you with fire, and after burning you I will quickly crush you. Evildoer, worst of those who have turned from Mahesha, do you not know Shri Maharudra's purifying greatness? Mighty-armed one, despite that you stand before me wishing to fight. If you still want to stand here, I will take you to the state you were reduced to before.

Brahma said

Hearing the intelligent Virabhadra, Vishnu, lord of gods, was pleased and spoke smiling.

Vishnu said

Virabhadra, standing before you I will tell you; listen. Do not speak of me as one who has turned from Rudra. I serve Shankara. Earlier Daksha had begged me repeatedly for the sacrifice. He did not know the truth and was firm in devotion to karma. I am subject to my devotees, as Maheshvara is. Father, Daksha is my devotee, which is why I came to this sacrifice. Brave one, born of Rudra's rage, hear my pledge. Your energy is like Rudra's. Lord, you are a reservoir of great power. I will counter you, and you can counter me. Whatever is to happen will happen. I will show my valour.

Brahma said

When Govinda said this, the mighty-armed one laughed and said, "I am extremely pleased that you are loved by our great lord." Virabhadra, foremost of the ganas, was pleased and laughed, and in assuring words spoke the truth humbly to the divinity Vishnu.

Virabhadra said

Great lord, I said that to test your feelings. Now I will tell you the truth; listen attentively. You are just like Shiva and Shiva is just like you. Hari, by Shiva's command this is what the Vedas say. All of us follow Shiva's command and serve Shankara. Rama's lord, nevertheless, urged on, we speak to each other without affection.

Brahma said

Hearing Virabhadra, Achyuta laughed and answered.

Vishnu said

Brave one, fight me without hesitation. Strike my whole body with your weapons, and I will return to my own hermitage.

Brahma said

He stopped speaking and armoured himself for the clash, and Virabhadra, immensely strong, armoured himself too with his own ganas.