ly one said, "In days of yore, a blessed woman was
created by Brahman, called Tilottama, by culling grains of beauty from
every beautiful object in the universe. One day, that lady of beautiful
face, unrivalled in the universe for beauty of form, came to me, O
goddess, for circumambulating me but really impelled by the desire of
tempting me. In whatever direction that lady of beautiful teeth turned, a
new face of mine instantly appeared (so eager did I become to see her).
All those faces of mine became agreeable to look at. Thus, in consequence
of the desire of beholding her, I became four-faced, through
Yoga-puissance. Thus, I showed my high Yoga-power in becoming four-faced.
With that face of mine which is turned towards the east, I exercise the
sovereignty of the universe. With that face of mine which is turned
towards the north, I sport with thee, O thou of faultless features! That
face of mine which is turned towards the west is agreeable and
auspicious. With it I ordain the happiness of all creatures. That face of
mine which is turned towards the south is terrible. With it I destroy all
creatures. I live as a Brahmacharin with matted locks on my head,
impelled by the desire of doing good to all creatures. The bow Pinaka is
always in my hand for accomplishing the purposes of the deities. In days
of yore, Indra, desirous of acquiring my prosperity, had hurled his
thunderbolt at me. With that weapon my throat was scorched. For this
reason I have become blue-throated."

"'"'Uma said, "When, O foremost of all creatures, there are so many
excellent vehicles endued with great beauty, why is it that thou hast
selected a bovine bull for thy vehicle?"

"'"'Maheswara said, "In the days of yore, the Grandsire Brahma created the
celestial cow Surabhi yielding abundant milk. After her creation there
sprang from her a large number of kine all of which yielded copious
quantities of milk sweet as nectar. Once on a time a quantity of froth
fell from the mouth of one of her calves on my body. I was enraged at
this and my wrath scorched all the kine which thereupon became
diversified in hue. I was then pacified by the Master of all the worlds,
viz., Brahma, conversant with all topics. It was he who gave me this bull
both as a vehicle for bearing me and as a device on my banner."

"'"'Uma said, "Thou hast many abodes in heaven, of diverse forms and
possessed of every comfort and luxury. Why, O holy one, dost thou reside
in the crema