ht of Brahma). Once more, however, he assumed the same form
for the sake of causing the religion of Pravritti to flow in the
universe.

"'Thus did the blessed Hari assume in days of old that grand form having
the equine head. This, of all his forms, endued with puissance, is
celebrated as the most ancient. That person who frequently listens or
mentally recites this history of the assumption by Narayana of the form
equipt with the equine head, will never forget his Vedic or other lore.
Having adored with the austerest penances the illustrious deity with the
equine head, the Rishi Panchala (otherwise known as Galava) acquired the
science of Krama by proceeding along the path pointed out by the deity
(Rudra).[1897] I have thus recited to thee, O king the old story of
Hayasiras, consistent with the Vedas about which thou hadst asked me.
Whatever forms, the Supreme Deity desires to assume with a view to
ordaining the various affairs of the universe, he assumes those forms
immediately within himself by exercise of his own inherent powers. The
Supreme Deity, endued with every prosperity, is the receptacle of the
Vedas. He is the receptacle of Penances also. The puissant Hari is Yoga.
He is the embodiment of the Sankhya philosophy. He is that Para Brahman
of which we hear. Truth has Narayana for its refuge. Rita has Narayana
for its soul. The religion of Nivritti, in which there is no return, has
Narayana for its high abode. The other religion which has Pravritti for
its basis, has equally Narayana for its soul. The foremost of all the
attributes that belong to the element of Earth is scent. Scent has
Narayana for its soul. The attributes of Water, O king, are called the
Tastes (of the various kinds). These Tastes have Narayana for their soul.
The foremost attribute of Light is form. Form also has Narayana for its
soul. Touch, which is the attribute of Wind, is also said to have
Narayana for its soul. Sound, which is an attribute of space, has like
the others, Narayana for its soul. Mind also, which is the attribute of
the unmanifest (Prakriti), has Narayana for its soul. Time which is
computed by the motion of the celestial luminaries has similarly Narayana
for its soul. The presiding deities of Fame, of Beauty, and of Prosperity
have the same Supreme Deity for their soul. Both the Sankhya philosophy
and Yoga have Narayana for their soul. The Supreme Being is the cause of
all this, as Purusha. He is, again the cause of everythi