ng a dreadful form that is known by
the name Mahakali, proceeded in the company of that Being who had issued
from Mahadeva's mouth, for witnessing with her own eyes the act of
destruction which was her own (for it was she who had impelled her lord
to accomplish it for her sake). That mighty Being then set out, having
obtained the permission of Mahadeva and having bowed his head unto him.
In energy, strength, and form, he resembled Maheswara himself who had
created him. Indeed, he was the living embodiment of (Mahadeva's) wrath.
Of immeasurable might and energy, and of immeasurable courage and
prowess, he came to be called by the name of Virabhadra--that dispeller
of the goddess's wrath. He then created from the pores of his body a
large number of spirit chiefs known by the name of Raumyas. Those fierce
bands of spirits, endued with terrible energy and prowess and resembling
Rudra himself on that account, rushed with the force of thunder to that
place where Daksha was making preparations for his sacrifice, impelled by
the desire of destroying it. Possessed of dreadful and gigantic forms,
they numbered by hundreds and thousands. They filled the sky with their
confused cries and shrieks. That noise filled the denizens of heaven with
fear. The very mountains were riven and the earth trembled. Whirl winds
began to blow. The Ocean rose in a surge. The fires that were kindled
refused to blaze up. The Sun became dimmed. The planets, the stars, and
constellations, and the moon, no longer shone. The Rishis, the gods, and
human beings, looked pale. A universal darkness spread over earth and
sky. The insulted Rudras began to set fire to everything. Some amongst
them of terrible form began to smite and strike. Some tore up the
sacrificial stakes. Some began to grind and others to crush. Endued with
the speed of wind or thought, some began to rush close and far. Some
began to break the sacrificial vessels and the celestial ornaments. The
scattered fragments strewed the ground like stars bespangling the
firmament. Heaps of excellent viands, of bottles of drink, and of
eatables there were that looked like mountains. Rivers of milk ran on
every side, with clarified butter and Payasa for their mire, creamy curds
for their water, and crystalised sugar for their sands. Those rivers
contained all the six tastes. There were lakes of treacle that looked
very beautiful. Meat of diverse kinds, of the best quality, and other
eatables of various so