End to Daksha's Misery

Brahma said

Brahma's lord, Prajesha and all the sages pleaded with Shambhu so, and Parameshvara was pleased. The ocean of compassion smiled, comforted Vishnu and the other gods, and in great favour replied.

Shri Mahadeva said

Excellent gods, listen closely. What you have said is true. I have always borne your wrath. I do not count or dwell on sins done by children. I hold the rod of chastisement over those who are overcome by my maya. I did not cause the breaking of Daksha's sacrifice. If a person hates others, the harm always falls back on him, and one should never act so as to make others suffer. At the sacrifice Daksha's head was cut off; let him have a goat's head. With his eyes restored, Mitra will be able to see his share of the sacrifice. Sons, Pushan used his teeth to eat the food offered at sacrifices; now he will perform sacrifices with broken teeth. I have spoken truly. Bhrigu opposed me; let him have a goat's beard. I will restore their natural bodies to the gods who opposed me. Let the arms of the Ashvins and the hands of Pushan serve as the limbs for the other adhvaryus. I have said this because I am pleased with you.

Brahma said

Full of compassion, Paramesha said this and stopped. He is overlord and divinity of all that moves and stands, and he ensures that the Vedas are followed. All the gods heard Shankara and, with Vishnu, were content and uttered praise.

Shambhu called me, Vishnu, the gods and the rishis, and glad, we went again to the gods' sacrifice. At Shambhu's request Vishnu and the other gods went to Kanakhala, to the Prajapati's sacrificial ground. There Rudra saw what Virabhadra had done. The sacrifice, and the gods and rishis in particular, had been ruined. Svaha, Svadha, Pushti, Tushti, Dhriti, Sarasvati, all the other rishis, the ancestors, fires and many others, yakshas, gandharvas and rakshasas had been mutilated, wounded and killed on that field. Seeing the sacrifice in the same state, he called Virabhadra, the very brave leader of the ganas, and smiled. "Virabhadra, mighty-armed, what have you done here? Son, you have swiftly laid a great punishment on the gods, rishis and others. Bring Daksha here quickly, the man who began an inauspicious sacrifice and brought such consequences." At Shankara's word Virabhadra swiftly brought the headless trunk and flung it down before Shambhu. Shankara, who brings welfare to the worlds, saw the trunk without a head, laughed, and asked Virabhadra, standing before him, "Where is the head?" Lord Virabhadra answered, "Shankara, I offered the head as an oblation in the fire." Hearing him, Lord Shankara affectionately told the gods to do what he had said earlier. Everything was done exactly as Bhagavan Bhava had said. Vishnu and I quickly informed Bhrigu and the others. A sacrificial animal was tied to the post, and following Shambhu's excellent instruction that goat's head was joined to the Prajapati's trunk. When the head was fixed Shambhu cast a gracious glance and the Prajapati revived at once, as if from sleep. Getting up, he saw Shambhu, the ocean of compassion, in front of him.

Daksha's mind was now at peace, and he stood there affectionately and joyful. Before, his mind had been stained by great hatred of Hara, but looking at Shiva now it was clear as the autumn moon. He wanted to praise Bhava, but his love made him unable; anxiety left him powerless, and he remembered his daughter. Ashamed but glad in mind, Daksha at last bowed and praised Shiva Shankara, who brings welfare to the worlds.

Daksha said

I bow to the divinity who gives boons and deserves worship, eternal Maheshvara, a reservoir of knowledge. I bow to Ishvara Hara, lord of the gods, who always grants excellent happiness and is the universe's only kinsman. I bow to the lord of the universe, whose form is the universe, who is ancient, and for whom the brahman is a form of his own atman. I bow to Sharva Bhava, who conceives the world, greater than the greatest; I bow to Shankara. Lord of gods, Mahadeva, show me compassion; I bow to you. Shambhu, ocean of compassion, pardon my offence now. Shankara, under the pretext of punishing me, you have shown me favour. I was crooked and foolish and did not understand your tattva. Now I know it, and I judge you above everyone else. Vishnu, Brahma and the others serve you. Maheshvara, you are known through the Vedas. For the virtuous you are a kalpavriksha, and against the wicked you always raise the rod of chastisement. You are the self-ruling paramatman, who gives devotees the boons they desire. From your mouth you made brahmanas first, so that they might uphold learning, austerity and vows and grasp the truth of the atman. Like a cowherd who guards his animals, you take up the rod against the wicked and protect the ordinances. Parameshvara, with abusive words I pierced you with arrows, and so gods who favoured me were distressed. You are Bhagavan Shambhu, friend of the afflicted, greater than the greatest. Affectionate to devotees, you are satisfied by the great deeds you yourself undertake.

Brahma said

So, full of humility, the Prajapati praised Mahesha Shankara, the great lord who brings welfare to the worlds. Pleased, Vishnu also praised Vrishadhvaja, his voice choked with tears, hands joined, bowing properly.

Vishnu said

Mahadeva, Mahesha, cause of favours to the worlds, you are the supreme brahman and the paramatman, friend of the afflicted, ocean of compassion, pervading everything and following your own inclinations. Lord, your fame is known through the Vedas, and you have shown us every kind of kind favour. Daksha is my devotee. He was crooked and criticised you earlier; you are indifferent, Mahesha, so pardon it now. Shankara, in my folly I also offended you: I took his side and fought Virabhadra and the ganas. You are lord, the supreme brahman. Sadashiva, I am your servant; as a father does, nurture me always.

Brahma said

Lord of gods, Mahadeva, ocean of compassion, you are the self-ruling paramatman, the undecaying Paramesha without a second. Divinity, Ishvara, you have shown favour to my son and disregarded the disrespect shown you. Save Daksha's sacrifice. Lord of gods, be pleased and undo every curse. You are the one who kindles understanding in me and urges me, and you are also the one who undoes.

Great sage, so Mahesha was praised in the highest way. I joined my hands and bowed my head humbly. Shakra and the other gods and guardians of the worlds, excellent in intelligence, praised the divinity Shankara, whose pleasant face is like a lotus. Likewise, pleased in mind, all the gods, siddhas, rishis and lords of subjects praised Shankara cheerfully, as did the minor gods, the assistant priests and the brahmanas, all bowing and praising him separately with great devotion.