discharge it at him, and this was a wonder.  And when that weapon thus failed of effect, I was struck with amazement.  However, O king, exerting myself more vigorously, I again covered that being with a mighty multitude of shafts.  Then taking Sthunakarna, and Varuna and Salava, and Asmavarsha weapons, I assailed him, profusely showering shafts.  But, O king, he instantly swallowed up even all these weapons of mine.  And when all those (weapons) had been swallowed up, I discharged the weapon presided over by Brahma.  And when the blazing arrows issuing from that weapon were heaped upon him all around, and being thus heaped over by that mighty weapon discharged by me, he increased (in bulk).  Then all the world became oppressed with the energy begotten of the weapon hurled by me, and the firmament and all the points of the sky became illumined.  But that one of mighty energy instantly baffled even that weapon.  And, O monarch, when that weapon presided over by Brahma had been baffled I was possessed with terrible fear.  Thereupon immediately holding even my bow and the two inexhaustible quivers, I shot at that being, but he swallowed up all those weapons.  And when all the weapons had been baffled and swallowed up, there ensued a wrestling between him and myself.  And we encountered each other first with blows and then with slaps.  But incapable of overcoming that being, I fell down stupefied on the ground.  Thereupon, O mighty king, with a laugh, that wonderful being at my sight vanished at that spot together with the woman.  Having accomplished this, O illustrious monarch, that divine one assumed another and unearthly form (clad in) wonderful raiment.  And renouncing the form of a hunter, that divine lord of the gods, resumed his own unearthly appearance and that mighty god stood (there).  Then appeared before me with Uma that manifest divine one, having the bull for his mark, wielding the Pinaka, bearing serpents and cable of assuming many forms.  And, O repressor of foes, advancing towards me, standing even then in the field ready for conflict, that wielder of the trident addressed me saying, I am well-pleased with thee.  Then that divine one held up my bows and the couple of quivers furnished with inexhaustible shafts and returned them unto me saying, ’Do thou ask some boon, O Kunti’s son.  I am well-pleased with thee.  Tell me, what I shall do for thee.  And, O hero, express the desire that dwelleth in thy heart.  I will grant it.  Except immortality alone, tell me as to the desire that is in thy heart.  Thereat with my mind intent on the acquisition of arms, I only bowed down unto Siva and said, ’O divine one, if thou beest favourably disposed towards me, then I wish to have this boon,—­I wish to learn all the weapons that are with thy god-head.’  Then the god Tryamvaka said unto me, ’I will give.  O Pandava, my own weapon Raudra shall attend upon thee.’  Thereupon Mahadeva, well-pleased, granted to me the mighty weapon, Pasupata.  And, having granted