iS38.] 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts^ 



223 



want of success. Nandi (the bullock vehicle of AS'^y«) hearing the language 

 of Dacsha, was incensed, and in turn denounced misfortune on him, with 

 the loss of his head, to he replaced by the head of a goat. Brighu, the 

 great muni, heard the denunciation of Nandi, and because he had so 

 doomed a Brahman (i. e. Dacsha) he {Brighu) pronounced maledictions 

 on the Saiva Br ah mans, terming them " vile ash-coloured impostors, 

 blasphemers, corrupters of the Vedas, bad hierophants, evil, choleric per- 

 sons, worthy to be dressed in their filthy garments." Thus, says the nar- 

 rator, they who were harmonious became divided ; execrating each other. 

 He adds that Dacsha^ s insults appeared to Siva like eulogistic praises ; 

 but the other words, by the other two; were really bitter reproaches. Siva 

 went to Cailasa. From that time forwards, between father-in-law and 

 son-in-law {Siva and Dacsha) anger inwardly burned. 



Some time afterwards, Dacsha made a great sacrifice, sending no invi- 

 tation to Siva, but inviting all the other gods, rishis, &c. He also invited 

 all his daughters Sati the wife of Siva being excepted. Sati went to her 

 husband Siva, and told him that all the gods, and men, were going to her 

 father's sacrifice ; adding, " let us also go." Siva smiled, and said that 

 if she went her father would insult her, on his account ; but if she would 

 go, she might. Sati went. Dacsha rudely received her, termed her a 

 Siva-drohi (malicious, or treacherous, «S'^^!^■y^Ve). His daughter died, con- 

 sumed by a flame within in her own body ; and afterwards became wife 

 to Yama. Siva, on hearing what had occurred, in great wrath plucked a 

 bunch, or lock, of hair from his head, and threw it on the ground, which 

 started up as another Siva (a form of Siva), in the person of Fir a Bhadra^ 

 having a thousand hands, each one armed wdth a weapon. Isvara sent 

 him to destroy the sacrifice of Dacsha. He proceeded, accompanied by 

 others, overset all the preparations, killed several persons, and cut otF 

 Dacha^s head ; afterwards returning to Cailasa. The gods, and others 

 who escaped went away to Brahna-deva, and told him what had occurred. 

 Brahma called Dacsha a Siva drohi (traitor to Siva, a pun on the term) 

 asked if any sacrifice could be without the presence of Siva, adding 

 that since Siva was not there, neither did he {Brahma) nor Vishnu 

 go. He determined that what Siva had done must pass ; or could only 

 be reversed by himself ; and invited the complainants to ac company him 

 to Cailasa. They went thither ; and interceded for the success of Z>«C5- 

 Aa' 6- sacrifice. Siva, i)revailed on by their entreaties, came down to earth; 

 gave life to the persons who had been killed ; and in the hurry, of the 

 moment, fitted a goat's head to the trunk of Dacsha' s body, which be- 

 came reanimated. Some other, rather ludicrous, details are given. 

 Dacsha restored, and without a troubled mind now paid homage to Siva ; 



