nt attitudes, the illustrious Sankara
addressed them smilingly, saying, 'Tell us the object of your visit.'
Commanded by the Three-eyed god, their hearts became easy. They then said
these words unto him, 'Our repeated salutations to thee, O Lord.
Salutations to thee that art the source of all the gods, to thee that art
armed with the bow, to thee that art full of wrath. Salutations to thee
that hadst destroyed the sacrifice of that lord of creatures (viz.,
Daksha), to thee that art adored by all the lords of creatures.
Salutations to thee that art always praised, to thee that deservest to be
praised, to thee that art Death's self. Salutations to thee that art red,
to thee that art fierce, to thee that art blue-throated, to thee that art
armed with the trident, to thee that art incapable of being baffled, to
thee that hast eyes as beautiful as those of the gazelle, to thee that
fightest with the foremost of weapons, to thee that deservest all praise,
to thee that art pure, to thee that art destruction's self, to thee that
art the destroyer; to thee that art irresistible, to thee that art
Brahman, to thee that leadest the life of a brahmacari; to thee that art
Ishana; to thee that art immeasurable, to thee that art the great
controller, to thee that art robed in tatters; to thee that art ever
engaged in penances, to thee that art tawny, to thee that art observant
of vows, to thee that art robed in animal skins; to thee that art the
sire of Kumara, to thee that art three-eyed, to thee that art armed with
the foremost of weapons, to thee that destroyest the afflictions of all
that seek thy shelter, to thee that destroyest all haters of Brahmanas,
to thee that art the lord of all trees, the lord of all men, the lord of
all kine, and ever the lord of sacrifices. Salutations to thee that art
always at the head of troops, to thee that art three-eyed, to thee that
art endued with fierce energy. We devote ourselves to thee in thought,
word and deed. Be gracious unto us.' Gratified with these adorations, the
holy one, saluting them with the word 'Welcome' said unto them, 'Let your
fears be dispelled. Say, what we are to do for you?'"'"

34

"'Duryodhana said, "After the fears of those throngs of the pitris, the
gods, and the Rishis had thus been dispelled by that high-souled Deity,
Brahman then offered his adorations, unto Sankara, and said these words
for the benefit of the universe, 'Through thy favour, O Lord of all, the
L