illustrious one, art of energy that is
irresistible. The goddess Uma, also is possessed of energy that is
equally irresistible. The offspring that will result from a union like
this, will, without doubt, O illustrious deity, be endued with very great
might. Verily, O puissant lord, that offspring will consume all things in
the three worlds without leaving a remnant. Do thou then, O lord of all
the universe, O thou of large eyes, grant unto these deities prostrated
before thee, a boon from desire of benefiting the three worlds! Do thou,
O puissant one, restrain this high energy of thine which may become the
seed of offspring. Verily, that energy is the essence of all forces in
the three worlds. Ye two, by an act of congress, are sure to scorch the
universe! The offspring that will be born of you two will certainly be
able to afflict the deities! Neither the goddess Earth, nor the
Firmament, nor Heaven, O puissant one, nor all of them together, will be
able to bear thy energy, we firmly believe. The entire universe is
certain to be burnt through the force of thy energy. It behoveth thee, O
puissant one, to show us favour, O illustrious deity. That favour
consists in thy not begetting a son, O foremost of the deities, upon the
goddess Uma. Do thou, with patience, restrain thy fiery and puissant
energy!" Unto the deities that said so the holy Mahadeva having the bull
for his sign, O regenerate Rishi, answered, saying, "So be it!" Having
said so, the deity that has the bull for his vehicle, drew up his vital
seed. From that time he came to be called by the name of Urdhvaretas
(one that has drawn up the vital seed). The spouse of Rudra, however, at
this endeavour of the deities to stop procreation, became highly
incensed. In consequence of her being of the opposite sex (and,
therefore, endued with little control upon her temper) she used harsh
words, thus, "Since ye have opposed my lord in the matter of procreating
a child when he was desirous of procreating one upon me, as the
consequence of this act, ye deities, ye all shall become sonless. Verily,
since ye have opposed the birth of issue from me, therefore, ye shall
have no offspring of your own." At the time this curse was denounced, O
perpetuator of Bhrigu's race, the deity of fire was not there. It is in
consequence of this curse of the goddess that the deities have become
childless. Rudra, solicited by them, held in himself his energy of
incomparable puissance. A small