marakshasas. Indeed, it is these men that become
unmindful of the Homa, that never utter the Vashat and other sacred
Mantras, and that come to be regarded as the lowest and vilest of men.
Thus, O goddess, have I explained to thee the entire ocean of duties in
respect of human beings for the sake of removing thy doubts, not omitting
the sins of which they become guilty."'"'"

SECTION CXLVI

"'"Narada said, 'Having said these words, the puissant Mahadeva himself
became desirous of hearing (instead of talking), and with that view he
questioned his dear spouse who was seated by his side and she was fully
inclined to act up to his desire.'

"'"'Mahadeva said, "Thou, O goddess, art conversant with what is Supreme
and what is not.[576] Thou art acquainted with all duties, O thou that
lovest to reside in the retreats of ascetics. Thou art endued with every
virtue, possessed of beautiful eyebrows and hair ending in the fairest
curls, O daughter of Himavat, the king of mountains! Thou art skilled in
every work. Thou art endued with self-restraint and thou lookest
impartially upon all creatures. Divested of the sense of meum, thou art
devoted to the practice of all the duties. O thou of beautiful features,
I desire to ask thee about something. I wish that, asked by me, thou wilt
discourse to me on that topic. Savitri is the chaste wife of Brahma. The
chaste Sachi is the wife of Indra. Dhumrorna is the spouse of Markandeya,
and Riddhi of (king) Vaisravana. Varuna has Gauri for his spouse, and
Surya has Suvarchala. Rohini is the chaste wife of Sasin, and Swaha of
Vibhavasu. Kasyapa has Aditi. All these regard their husbands as their
gods. Thou hast, O goddess, conversed and associated with all of them
every day. It is for this reason, O thou that art conversant with every
duty, that I desire to question thee about the duties of women, O thou
whose words are always consistent with righteousness. I desire to hear
thee discourse on that subject from the beginning. Thou practisest all
the duties of righteousness with me. Thy conduct is exactly like mine,
and the vows thou observest are the same that are observed by me. Thy
puissance and energy are equal to mine, and thou hast undergone the
austerest penances. The subject, when discoursed upon by thee, will
become endued with great merit. Indeed, that discourse will then become
authoritative in the world. Women, in especial, are the highest refuge of
women. O thou of beautiful hips