Krishna said Bending low my head with a controlled soul to that mass of energy and effulgence, I said to the great god, with a joyous heart, these words

I ask for these boons from you, namely firmness in virtue, the destruction of enemies in battle, the highest glory, the greatest power, devotion to Yoga, your nearness, and hundreds upon hundreds of children.

Whereto Shankara said, so be it, repeating the words I had said. After this, the mother of the universe, the upholdress of all things, she who purifies all things, viz., the wife of Sarva that huge receptacle of penances, said with controlled soul, these words to me: The powerful Mahadeva has granted you, O sinless one, a son who shall be named Shamba.

Do you take from me also eight boons which you choose. I shall, indeed, grant them to you. Bowing her with my head bended, I said to her, O son of Pandu!

I pray from you uniform affection for the Brahmanas, the favour of my father, a hundred sons, the highest enjoyments, love for my family, the favour of my mother, the attainment of tranquility and peace, and cleverness in every deed.

Uma Said You will have them, O you, who are endued with prowess equal to that of a celestial. I never say what is untrue. You will have sixteen thousand wives. Your love for them and theirs also for you shall be limitless.

From all your kinsmen also, you will get the highest affection. You will have a most beautiful person. Seven thousand guests will daily feed at your palace.

Vasudeva continued Having thus granted me boons both the god and the goddess, O Bharata, disappeared there and then with their associates, O elder brother of Bhima.

All those wonderful deeds I described fully, O best of kings, to that highly energetic Brahmana Upamanyu. Bowing down to the great God, Upamanyu said these words to me.

Upamanyu said There is no god like Sarva. There is no end or refuge like Sarva. There is none who can grant so inany or so high boons. There is none who is his equal in battle.