ay one succeed in obtaining
a knowledge of him? If gratified, will he, O mother, show himself unto
me?"--After I had said these words, O Krishna, to my mother, she, filled
with parental affection, smelt my head, O Govinda, her eyes covered with
tears the while. Gently patting my body, O slayer of Madhu, my mother,
adopting a tone of great humility, addressed me in the following words, O
best of the deities.

"'"'My mother said, "Mahadeva is exceedingly difficult to be known by
persons of uncleansed souls. These men are incapable of bearing him in
their hearts or comprehending him at all. They can retain him in their
minds. They cannot seize him, nor can they obtain a sight of him. Men of
wisdom aver that his forms are many. Many, again, are the places in which
he resides. Many are the forms of his Grace. Who is there that can
understand in their details the acts, which are all excellent, of Isa, or
of all the forms that he has assumed in days of yore? Who can relate how
Sarva sports and how he becomes gratified? Maheswara of universal form
resides in the hearts of all creatures. While Munis discoursed on the
auspicious and excellent acts of Isana, I have heard from them how,
impelled by compassion towards his worshippers, he grants them a sight of
his person. For the purpose of showing a favour unto the Brahmanas, the
denizens of heaven have recited for their information the diverse forms
that were assumed by Mahadeva in days of yore. Thou hast asked me about
these. I shall recite them to thee, O son."

"'"'My mother continued, "Bhava assumes the forms of Brahma and Vishnu and
the chief of the celestials of the Rudras, the Adityas, and the Aswins;
and of those deities that are called Viswadevas. He assumes the forms
also of men and women, of Pretas and Pisachas, of Kiratas and Savaras,
and of all aquatic animals. That illustrious deity assumes the forms of
also those Savaras that dwell in the woods and forests. He assumes the
forms of tortoises and fishes and conches. He it is that assumes the
forms of those coral sprouts that are used as ornaments by men. He
assumes also the forms of Yakshas, Rakshasas and Snakes, of Daityas and
Danavas. Indeed, the illustrious god assumes the forms of all creatures
too that live in holes. He assumes the forms of tigers and lions and
deer, of wolves and bears and birds, of owls and of jackals as well. He
it is that assumes the forms of swans and crows and peacocks, of
chameleons and l