Inform him, who commands you thus. We shall know from him. Devas the foremost among whom was Prajapati Daksa on being addressed thus, by the leader of Ganas, spoke: 54-56a. They said to the lord, “We do not know that the Mantras authorise your share.” The Mantras retaliated “You Devas are confounded in your minds by Tamas, because you do not worship Mahesvara, the king of the (sacrifice). Hara is the lord of all living beings. Devas constitute his body. He is worshipped in the Tajnas. He bestows prosperities and achievements.” 56b-57a. Though addressed thus by the Mantras gods whose minds were lost by the deluding potency of the great god (Siva) did not pay any heed. Hence the hymns {Mantras) left the gods and returned to their own abodes. 57b-58a. Then, lord Virabhadra, the destroyer of gods who was accompanied by his spouse and lords of gams touched lovingly the sage Dadhica with both of his hands and said (to Daksa and other gods) : 58b-59a. “You had been arrogant due to your strength. Hence you did not recognise the authority of the Mantras. So today I am forcibly destroying you who had been proud and *v.l. bhagdbhilipsayd prdpta bhagan yacchadhvam ipsitan / We have arrived here with the desire to receive our share in the Tajha, Give unto us our share (in the Tajiia) as desired by us. •• v.l. kasyacid iyam ajhd muni-surottamdh j O excellent sages and gods ! (Please tell us) whose order is this (that: the shares . . .) I.15.59b-79a 139 arrogant”. After saying this the leading Ganas burned the sacrificial hall. 59b-61a. The leaders of Ganas became infuriated. They uprooted the sacrificial posts and threw them here and there. The Ganesvaras, all of whom were terrible ones, took the sacrificial horse along with the Prastotr and Hotr (the priests) and hurled them into the currents of Ganga. 61b-62a. Even Virabhadra whose mind was ablaze with wrath, paralysed the hand of Indra as he raised it to strike and did the same to other gods. 62b-67a. Sportively he plucked out the eyes of Bhaga by the tip of his finger nails. Hitting with his fist he felled down the teeth of Pusan. The mighty leader of Ganas sportively and smilingly kicked Lord Moon with the big toe of his leg. O excellent sages, he cut off the pair of hands of fire and playfully plucked out his tongue. Then he kicked sages on their heads. The mighty one then pierced Visnu, who had been coming thither on his Garuda with sharp arrows after stunning Sudariana. The powerful Garuda stared at the Gana and suddenly hit him with his wings and roared like the ocean. 67b-68. Then Rudra himself created thousands of Garudas more powerful than Garuda, the son of Vinata. They rushed against Garuda. On seeing them, the intelligent Garuda of great velocity fled away. 69-79a. That he left Visnu and fled quickly was surpris¬ ing. When Garuda had disappeared, the lotus-born deity (Brahma) came there and intercepted Virabhadra and Visnu. Thanks to the great glory of Paramesthin (i. e. Brahma) he eulogised Isa. Lord Sambhu himself came there. On seeing that lord of Devas and Uma endowed with all attributes. Lord Brahma, Daksa and the heaven-dwellers eulogised them. Daksa in particular bowed to goddess Parvati, the sharer of half the body of Isvara. With palms joined in reverence he eulogised her with various hymns. Then the goddess, the store¬ house of kindness, said smilingly to Rudra, the great god Mahes- vara, with a delighted mind,—“You alone are the creator of the universe, its ruler and protector. Daksa and the heaven- dwellers should be blessed by your lordship.” 140 K urma Pur dm Then the Lord with matted hair and blue-red complexion spoke to Devas and Pracetasa Daksa who had bowed down: “O Devas, all of you may go. I am delighted with you. I should be worshipped in all Ydjnas. I shall not be denigrated on any account. O Daksa, you too listen to my words that protect all. Eschew all worldly desires and strenuously become my devotee. At the end of a kalpa, thanks to my grace, you will become the chief of Ganas. Till then you continue (in your present position) abiding by my directive remaining contented in what you are authorised.” 79b-80a. After saying this. Lord Siva along with his consort and gams (followers) immediately vanished from the sight ofDaksa of immeasurable splendour. 80b-81a. When Sankara the great Lord vanished, the lotus-born deity Brahma himself spoke to Daksa what was conducive to the welfare of the world. Brahma said : 81b-82. What is your delusion* when the bull-bannered deity is pleased with you? When the lord himself protects you alertly (why should you be agitated?). This great god is in the heart of all living beings.