1839.] The Mahimnastava, or a Hymn to Shiva. 357 



Can the word even of the chief of gods (Brahma') be a matter of 

 wonder to thee who art the cause of the nectar-like sweets of lan- 

 guage ? My mind is thus bent upon this invocation, O thou destroyer 

 of Tripura, to the end that I may purify my language by the virtue 

 of recounting thy attributes. 



Thy godhead, celebrated in the Vedas, and displayed in the three- 

 fold forms of Brahma', Vishnu, and Shiva, distinguished severally by 

 the three properties of Sattwa Rajas, and Tamas, is the cause of the 

 creation, preservation, and annihilation of the universe ; and yet there 

 are certain foolish and stupid men in the world who oppose this thy 

 godhead in an abominable way, however acceptable that way may be 

 to the wicked. 



" What is his attempt ? What his form ? By what means — with 

 what implements — of what materials does the Creator form the uni- 

 verse?" Vain questions like these, unworthy of thy incomprehensible 

 glory, and therefore wicked, pass the lips of some infatuated men for 

 the delusion of the world. 



*r?ft *f^t *&\ ^r^mj^T: ^k?r s$r ii^ii 



Can this embodied universe be uncreate ? Could its existence proceed 

 from any one except the Creator of the world? Or who else but the 



