ries inflicted on thy
Sacrifice. It has been seen that in former Kalpas too I had to destroy
thy Sacrifice.[1440] O thou of excellent vows, I shall grant thee again
some more boons. Take them from me. Dispelling this cheerlessness that
overspreads thy face, listen to me with undivided attention. With the aid
of arguments addressed to reason the deities and the Danavas have
extracted from the Vedas consisting of six branches and from the system
of Sankhya and Yoga a creed in consequence of which they have practised
the austerest penances for many long years. The religion, however, which
I have extracted, is unparalleled, and productive of benefits on every
side. It is open to men in all modes of life to practise it. It leads to
Emancipation. It may be acquired in many years or through merit by
persons who have restrained their senses. It is shrouded in mystery. They
that are divested of wisdom regard it as censurable. It is opposed to the
duties laid down in respect of the four orders of men and the four modes
of life, and agrees with those duties in only a few particulars. They
that are well-skilled in the science of (drawing) conclusions (from
premises) can understand its propriety: and they who have transcended all
the modes of life are worthy of adopting it. In days of yore, O Daksha,
this auspicious religion called Pasupata had been extracted by me. The
proper observance of that religion produces immense benefits. Let those
benefits be thine, O highly blessed one! Cast off this fever of thy
heart.' Having said these words, Mahadeva, with his spouse (Uma) and with
all his attendants disappeared from the view of Daksha of immeasurable
prowess. He who would recite this hymn that was first uttered by Daksha
or who would listen to it when recited by another, would never meet with
the smallest evil and would attain to a long life. Indeed, as Siva is the
foremost of all the deities, even so is this hymn, agreeable with the
Srutis, is the foremost of all hymns. Persons desirous of fame, kingdom,
happiness, pleasure, profit, and wealth, as also those desirous of
learning, should listen with feelings of devotion to the recital of this
hymn. One suffering from disease, one distressed by pain, one plunged
into melancholy, one afflicted by thieves or by fear, one under the
displeasure of the king in respect of his charge, becomes freed from fear
(by listening or reciting this hymn). By listening to or reciting this
hymn, one, in e