1839.] The Mahtmnastava, or a Hymn to Shiva. 363 



When Brahma'* lusting after his own daughter (that had through 

 fear of her father's attempt against her virtue transformed herself into 

 a hind) became a stag, with a view to gratify his passion, thou didst 

 bend thy bow against him ; and when he had fled from thy fear, even 

 into heaven, thy hands, like those of a chasing hunter, took him, and 

 have not yet set him at liberty. 



If, O destroyer of Tripura, even after seeing the flower-armedt 

 god of love reduced like grass instantly to ashes for audaciously 

 hoping to overcome thee by making^ Pa'rvatis beauty as his instru- 

 ment, the goddess still looks upon thee as if thou wert subject to 

 animal passions, because half of thy body is joined with hers, then, 

 O thou self-controlling dispenser of blessings, young women must be 

 deceived. 



sF^fwr sft^T: **nr^ f^aa^v ww^tj 



Although owing to thy sports in the cemetery, with the devils as thy 

 followers— the ashes of the burnt pile as thy ointment — and skulls as 

 thy necklaces and drinking cups — thy disposition and very name must 

 appear evil and be awful — yet thou art the cause of supreme felicity to 

 all that call upon thee. 



* Brahma' is the first person of the Hindu- Triad and the creator of the universe. 

 f Ka'madeva, the god of love, or animal passions, is supposed to use flowers as his 

 shafts when he strikes lust into the hearts of men. 

 X Pa'rvati was the wife of Shiva. 



3 B 



