Prelude to Sharabha Avatara

Nandishvara said

So, entreated by the gods, Parameshvara, abode of compassion, resolved to destroy the great energy called Nrisimha. Rudra remembered the strong Virabhadra, and the cause of dissolution also spoke to his own Bhairava form. The foremost of ganas came at once, laughing loudly, with other excellent ganas who also laughed and leapt about, and was instantly surrounded by crores more who took Nrisimha's fierce form. Those mad, brave ones danced happily and played with Brahma and the others as if they were balls. Worshipped by the brave and surrounded by many unlike any seen before, he blazed like the fire at the end of a kalpa, three-eyed, matted-haired, without weapons, a crescent moon on his forehead, his cruel, sharp fangs like discs of the crescent, his brows like fragments of Indra's bow, his loud fierce roars echoing in the directions. He was dark like blue cloud or collyrium, terrible, with a full beard, whirling his trident again and again like a piece of a musical instrument. Extending his strength, illustrious Virabhadra arrived, named himself, and asked why he had been called and for commands. Hearing him, Mahesha looked on him affectionately, and the chastiser of the wicked said: an untimely terrible fear had arisen for the gods; blazing Nrisimha was unbearable, and Virabhadra must pacify him. He should try conciliation and make him understand, and if that failed, display Shiva's supreme Bhairava form. He should use his energy, the subtle against the subtle and the gross against the gross, and bring Shiva his head and hide. Addressed so, the gana leader took a peaceful form.

He hurried to where Nrisimha was and tried to make Hari understand, speaking as a father speaks to a son. Virabhadra said: Bhagavan Madhava, you took an avatara for the universe's happiness, and Paresha Parameshthi engaged you in the work of preservation. Earlier you took the form of Matsya and, as you moved, you stirred the ocean with your tail and split the creatures there. You held the earth up as Kurma and raised it as Varaha, and as the lion you have killed Hiranyakashipu. As Vamana you used valour to bind Bali. You are the undecaying lord from whom all beings arise, and whenever misery arises in the world you take an avatara and make it well. No one is more devoted to Shiva than you, and you set the Vedas and dharma on an auspicious path. You took this avatara for a reason: Hiranyakashipu is dead and Prahlada protected. Your Narasimha form is extremely terrible, so please withdraw it in his presence. So Virabhadra addressed Nrisimha in peaceful words.

But this made the intoxicated one angry, and he took an even more terrible form and spoke harsh words, showing his terrifying fangs to brave Virabhadra. He said: go back where you came from and do not tell me what is good for me. I will now destroy the whole universe with all that moves and stands, and will not refrain for my sake or anyone's. I rule everything and there is no other ruler; by my favour everything is free of fear. I am the one who starts and withdraws every power. Gana leader, know that every potency, prosperity and power extends from my energy. The greatly learned know I am beyond the gods; Brahma, Shakra and the others get their strength as my portions. Earlier Brahma, creator of the universe, arose from the lotus in my navel. I am self-ruling and greater than anyone, creator and destroyer, lord of everything. This is my supreme energy; what more do you want to hear? Take refuge in me and go back without worry. Know that everything is covered by my supremacy: the whole universe with gods, asuras and humans is mine. I am Kala, responsible for the world's destruction, engaged in the work of destruction. Virabhadra, know that I cause death to Death. The gods live by my favour. Hearing Hari's ego-filled words, the infinitely valiant one laughed and answered, his lips quivering as he slighted him.

Virabhadra replied: do you not know of the lord of the universe, the wielder of the Pinaka, the destroyer? This wicked argument will only lead to your destruction. Do any of your other avataras have anything left now? Whatever you did, nothing of it remains. Tell me about the taint that led to your present plight. He is expert in destruction and will give you the remaining fee. You are Prakriti and Rudra is Purusha, who put the seed in you, and so the five-faced grandfather was born from the lotus in your navel. To create the three worlds Brahma practised fierce austerity and meditated on Shankara Nilalohita in the middle of his forehead, and for creation Shambhu came out of his forehead. I am an ornament of the lord of the gods, his Bhairava form, engaged by Rudra to destroy you, through humility or through strength. Hari, he is lord of everything and you hold only a sixteenth of his power. Having broken a single rakshasa you are smeared with ego and roar like a distracted man. A good turn done to the virtuous is honoured as it adds to happiness; a good turn done to the wicked only adds to harm. Nrisimha, since you regard Mahesha as subject to birth you have no true knowledge. You are very proud and flawed in every way. You are not the creator, preserver or destroyer; you are subject to another and foolish in your mind, not self-ruling at all. You are driven by the Pinaka-wielder like the power behind a potter's wheel. You are his subordinate, and he engages you in many avataras. When you took the Kurma form your skull was thrown off and still hangs in Hara's necklace. One who has been burned cannot bind anyone. In your portion you took the boar form: have you forgotten the hand of the remover of obstacles? Your tusks were uprooted and thrown more than a krosha away. Vishvaksena, because you are deceitful you will see yourself burned by the trident's fire. At Daksha's sacrifice my energetic form cut off your head. The fifth head of your son Brahma was cut off and has still not healed. Have you forgotten that too? In a battle you and the Maruts were beaten by Dadhichi. Scratch your head: have you forgotten? Discus-bearer, you love the valour of your discus, but have you forgotten who made it and where you got it? I accepted all the worlds. You lie on Shesha in the waters, so how can you be full of sattva? From you down to a blade of grass everything extends by Rudra's powers. If you think yourself powerful it is only by the fire within you. A man cannot behold the greatness of his own energy. Only those of gross vision take Vishnu as the supreme goal. Parameshvara is the origin of the space between heaven and earth, of Indra, Agni, Yama, Varuna, darkness and the moon's light. If you are Kala, he is Mahakala, and Maheshvara destroys Kala. If you become the death of Death, it is only by one of his fierce digits. He is steadfast, undecaying, valiant, the brave lord who protects the universe and destroys terrible fear, the golden animal and the golden fever. You and the four-faced one do not punish this whole world; only Shambhu punishes everyone. So withdraw yourself, ignorant Nrisimha, or you will destroy yourself; otherwise Sthanu's rage will fall on you like the vajra in the form of great Bhairava and make you descend into death.

Nandishvara concluded

So saying, Virabhadra, who feared no one, stopped. Shiva's form as rage watched to read Nrisimha's intentions.