Vasudeva said O mighiyarmed Yudhishthira, listen to me as I recite to you the many names of Rudra as also the high blessedness of that great one.

The Rishis describe Mahadeva as Agni, and Sthanu, and Maheshvara; as oneeyed, and threeeyed, of universal form, and Shiva or highly auspicious.

Brahmanas knowing the Vedas say that god has two forins. (One of these is terrible, and the other mild and auspicious. Those two forms, again, arc subdivided into many forms.

That form which is fierce and terrible is considered as identical with Agni and Lightning and the Sun. That other form which is mild and auspicious is identical with Virtue and Water and the Moon.

Then, again, it is said that half his body is fire and half is the moon. That form of his which is mild and auspicious, is said to be engaged in the practice of the vow of celibacy.

That other form of his which is highly terrible performs all the destructive operations in the universe. Because he is great and the Supreme Lord of all (Ishvara), therefore he is called Maheshivara.

And because he burns and oppresses, is keen and fierce, and gifted with great energy, and is engaged in cating flesh and blood and marrow, that he is called Rudra.

Because he is the foremost of all the celestials, and because his dominion and acquisitions are very extensive, and because he protects the vast universe, therefore is called Mahadeva.

Because he is of the form or colour of smoke, therefore he is called Dhurjjali. Because by all his deeds he performs sacrifices for all and seeks the wellbeing of every creature, therefore he is called Shiva or the auspicious one. Living in the sky, he burns the lives of all creatures and is, besides, fixed in a particular path from which he does not deviate.

His emblem, again, is fixed and immovable for all time. He is, for these reasons, called Sthanu. He is also of multiform aspect. He is present, past, and future.

He is mobile and immobilc. For this he is called Vahurupa. Thc celestials called Vishvedevas live in his body. Ile is, for this, called Vishvarupa having an universal form.

He has a thousand eyes; or, he has numberless cyes; or, he has cycs on all sides and on every part of his body. His cncrgy comes out through his cyes. There is no end of his eyes.

Because he always nourishes all crcatures and sports also with them, and because he is their lord or master, therefore is he called Pashupati (the lord of all creatures).

Because his emblem always observes the of Brahmacharya, all the worlds, therefore, adore it. This act of worship is said to please him highly.

If there is one who adorcs him by creating his image, and another who adores his emblem, the latter it is who wins great prosperity for ever. VOW

The Rishis, the celestials, the Gandharvas, and the Apsaras, adore that emblem of his which is every erect and upraised.

If his emblem is adored, Maheshvara becomes highly pleased with the adorer. Affectionate towards his devotees, he confers happiness upon them with a chcerful soui.

This great god loves to live in crematoria and there he burns and consumes all dead bodies. Those persons who celebrate sacrifices on such grounds attain at the end to the regions of heroes.

Engaged in his proper duty, he it is who is considered as the Death who live in the bodies of all creatures. He is, again, those vital airs called Prana and Apana, in the bodies of all embodied creatures.

He has many burning and terrible forms. All those forms are adored in the world and are known to Brahmanas gifted with knowledge.

Amongst the gods he has many significant names. Indeed, the meanings of those names are derived from either his greatness or vastness, or his feats, or his conduct.

The Brahmanas always recite the excellent ShataRudriya in his honour, thai is in the Vedas as also that which has been composed by Vyasa.

These provide all worlds with the desired things. This huge universe has been told as their own appearance. Indeed, the Brahmanas and Rishis call him the eldest of all beings.

He is the first of all the celestials, and it was from his mouth that he created Agni. That great deity, ever willing to grant protection to all, never forsakes his suppliants.

He would much rather give up his own life and suffer all possible afflictions himself. Long life, health and freedom from disease, affluence, wealth, various kinds of pleasures and enjoyinents, are conferred by him, and it is he also who snatches them away. The lordship and affluence that one sees in Shakra and the Other celestials are, indeed, his.

It is he who is always engaged in all that is good and evil in the three worlds. On account of his fullest control over all objects of enjoyment he is called Ishvara.

Because he is the master of the vast universe, therefore he is called Maheshvara. The whole universe is pervaded by him in various forms. His mouth roars and burns the waters of the sea in the form of the huge mare's head.