iolence that dart then fell upon the chest of Narayana. Assailed by the
energy of that dart, the hair on the head of Narayana became green. In
fact, in consequence of this change in the hue of my hair I came to be
called by the name of Munjakesa.[1877] Driven off by an exclamation of
Hun which Narayana uttered, the dart, its energy being lost, returned to
Sankara's hands. At this, Rudra became highly angry and as the result
thereof he rushed towards the Rishis Nara and Narayana, endued with the
puissance of severe austerities. Narayana then seized the rushing Rudra
with his hand by the throat. Seized by Narayana, the lord of the
universe, Rudra's throat changed colour and became dark. From that time
Rudra came to be called by the name of Sitikantha. Meanwhile Nara, for
the purpose of destroying Rudra, took up a blade of grass, and inspired
it with Mantras. The blade of grass, thus inspired, was converted into a
mighty battle-axe. Nara suddenly hurled that battle-axe at Rudra but it
broke into pieces. In consequence of that weapon thus breaking into
pieces, I came to be called by the name of Khandaparasu."[1878]

"'Arjuna said, "In that battle capable of bringing about the destruction
of the three worlds, who obtained the victory, O Janarddana, do thou tell
me this!"

"'The blessed and holy one said, "When Rudra and Narayana became thus
engaged in battle, all the universe became suddenly filled with anxiety.
The deity of fire ceased to accept libations of even the purest clarified
butter duly poured in sacrifices with the aid of Vedic Mantras. The Vedas
no longer shone by inward light in the minds of the Rishis of cleansed
souls. The attributes of Rajas and Tamas possessed the deities. The Earth
trembled. The vault of the firmament seemed to divide in twain. All the
luminaries became deprived of their splendour. The Creator, Brahman,
himself fell from his seat. The Ocean itself became dry. The mountains of
Himavat became riven. When such dire omens appeared everywhere, O son of
Pandu, Brahma surrounded by all the deities and the high-souled Rishis,
soon arrived at that spot where the battle was raging. The four-faced
Brahma, capable of being understood with the aid of only the Niruktas,
joined his hands and addressing Rudra, said,--'Let good happen to the
three worlds. Throw down thy weapons, O lord of the universe, from desire
of benefiting the universe. That which is unmanifest, indestructible,
immutable, supreme, the