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head, and was instantly reduced to ashes by the touch. Jeye ! 

 Jeye ! resounded through paradise on his death, and it rained 

 flowers from heaven, since the evil which he destined in his 

 heart fbr another fell upon himself. Mahadeva, overjoyed at his es- 

 cape, came out fr6m his lurking-place, and retired to his palace 

 at Kylass. 



A similar question was once proposed by the Reyshees and 

 Muni-Eswaras, as they were at a certain time performing a Yug 

 near the river Saraswatty. These holy men demanded of Bhreegoo, 

 whether Brahma, Veeshnu, or Mahadeva, were most worthy to be 

 worshipped, that they and all the people might address their devo- 

 tions accordingly ? Bhreegoo said, he would first try all the three, 

 and then inform them. In consequence, he went first to Brahma, 

 and addressed him with the salutations proper from a son to his 

 father,* to see what kind of temper and patience he possessed. 

 Brahma at first grew angry, and accused him of want of ceremony, 

 but was soon appeased ; and his son perceived he was like fire and 

 water, alternately hot and cold. Bhreegoo, in the second place, 

 went to Mahadeva's abode : Mahadeva rose up, and was going to 

 embrace him, but Bhreegoo would not let him approach, and made 

 use of very disrespectful language. Mahadeva drew himself up in 

 wrath, and, snatching up his trident, rushed forward with intent to 1 

 kill him ; but Parvati interfered, and falling at her husband's feet, 

 pacified his anger. Bhreegoo hastily retreating thence, went to the 

 place called Vaicontha, the lord of which is Veeshnu. Him he 

 found sleeping on the lap of the universe, or Leckshmeen. Bhfee- 

 goo, on seeing him, struck him forcibly with his foot on the breast. 

 Veeshnu started up, and taking hold of the foot, said, " This 

 breast of mine is extremely hard, and your foot very tender ; un- 



* Bhreegoo was one of the sons of Brahma, and the promulger of the Vedas, 



Vol. in. K 



