3<30 The Mahimnastava, or a Hymn to Shiva. [May, 



^ ^rerr ^W*r wf?r ftrcw^resrfa: n\^i 



That Va'na, who had reduced the whole world under his subjec- 

 tion, should pull down the dominion of Indra, although so high, was 

 not a matter of wonder ; because he worshipped thy feet. What eleva- 

 tion is there which the prostration of the head before thy feet could 

 not procure ! 



Does not the blue spot which coloured thy throat, when thou drankest 

 the deadly potion in pity to the gods and demons, who were all afraid 

 that the universe should have an untimely dissolution, serve to set 

 forth thy beauty ? Surely even a disfigurement becomes graceful in a 

 person who undertakes to relieve the world from fear. 



That victor, whose shafts were never discharged in vain in this 

 world consisting of gods, demons, and men, even Kandarpa, met 

 with dissolution when he looked upon thee, O Lord, as if thou wert 

 like any other common god. So impossible is it to despise the self- 

 controlled with impunity ! 



