1839.] The Mahimnastava, or a Hymn to Shiva. 359 



this universe, composed of various materials, some things are eternal, 

 others perishable. — Although I am in a manner bewildered by these 

 speculations, I am not still ashamed of setting forth thy praise, for my 

 tongue cannot be held. 



In order to estimate thy glory, who art fire and light, Brahma' 

 attempted in vain to measure its upper and Vishnu its lower part- 

 But when they sang thy praise with faith and devotion, then thou 

 didst manifest thyself unto them. Can then thy service ever be 

 pronounced futile or fruitless ? 



It was only owing to the unshaken faith with which he worshipped 

 thy lotus-feet with his heads, as with so many rows of lotuses, that, O 

 thou destroyer of Tripura, the ten-headed Ra'vana having gained 

 unrivalled and undisturbed possession of the world exerted the strength 

 of his arms, ever itching for war. 



When he (Ra'vana) exerted against Kaildsha, even thy dwelling, 

 the power of those very arms which he had got as a reward for his 

 services to thee, (so true it is that the wicked forget themselves in 

 prosperity !) it would have been impossible for him to find any resting 

 place, even in hell, hadst thou only slightly moved the tip of thy toe. 

 \_But thy long-suffering remembered his former devotions, and spared 

 him.~\ 



