ar), and all the
(medicinal) herbs and plants, and Penances, and vows and observances of
diverse kinds. Behold also in me the eight attributes indicative of
puissance, viz., those particularly called the attributes of Lordship,
all dwelling together in my body in their united and embodied form.
Behold also Sree and Lakshmi, and Kirti, and the Earth with her hump as
also the goddess, Saraswati, that mother of the Vedas, dwelling in me.
Behold, O Narada, Dhruva, that foremost of luminaries ranging the
firmament, as also all the Oceans those receptacles of water, and lakes,
and rivers, dwelling in me. Behold also, O best of men, the four foremost
ones amongst the Pitris in their embodied forms, as also, the three
attributes (of Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas) which are formless dwelling in
me. The acts done in honour of the Pitris are superior (in point of
merit) to those done in honour of the deities. I am the Pitri of both the
deities and the Pitris, and am existing from the beginning (that is, from
a time when they were not). Becoming the Equine-head I rove through the
Western and the Northern ocean and drink sacrificial libations duly
poured with mantras and solid sacrificial food offered with reverence and
devotion. In days of yore I created Brahman who himself adored me in
sacrifices. Gratified with him on that account I granted him many
excellent boons. I said unto him that in the beginning of the Kalpa he
would be born unto me as my son, and the sovereignty of all the worlds
would vest on him, coupled with diverse names being bestowed on diverse
objects in consequence of the starting of Ahankara into existence.[1833]
I also told him that none would ever violate the limits and boundaries he
would assign (for the observance of creatures) and, further, that he
would be the giver of boons unto persons that would (in sacrifices and by
proper acts) solicit him for them. I further assured him that he would be
an object of adoration with all the deities and Asuras, all the Rishis
and Pitris, and the diverse creatures forming the creation. I also gave
him to understand that I would always manifest myself for accomplishing
the business of the deities and that for that matter I would suffer
myself to be commanded by him even as a son by his sire.[1834] Granting
these and other highly agreeable boons unto Brahman of immeasurable
energy in consequence of my being gratified with him I (once more)
adopted the course dictated by Nivritti.