356 The Mahirnnastava, or a Hymn to Shiva, [May, 



Hindus are allowed the privilege of worshipping Shiva, this hymn is 

 distinguished from invocations to other gods by the liberty with which 

 it may be read and repeated even by the Shudras, and it is therefore 

 more widely known among the natives than the other prayers and 

 mantras with which the Brahmins alone are familiar, because they 

 alone are allowed to use them. 



If the offering of praise by one that does not comprehend the su- 

 preme limits of thy glory be unworthy of thee, then the language 

 even of Brahma' and the other gods must be deficient. No one there- 

 fore that sings according to the measure of his understanding is culp- 

 able — and this attempt of mine too,, O Hara ! to celebrate thy praise, 

 may be excused. 



Thy glory, incapable as it is of any definition, and described with 

 awe even by the Vedas, surpasses the utmost stretch of thought and 

 expression. Who then can duly set forth its praise ? Who can compre- 

 hend its nature and properties ? And yet as to its figurative illustra- 

 tions, vouchsafed by thee in condescension to the infirmities of the 

 faithful, who would not set his mind upon them and give expression to 

 them ? 



