ladle in his hand; him who is blazing; him who wields the bow; him who is Rama’s self, him who has diverse forms; him who is the lord of the universe; him who had the munja grass for his attire; him who has a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand arms, and a thousand legs.  O son of Kunti, seek the protection of that boon-giving Lord of the universe, the lord of Uma, that God of three eyes, that destroyer of Daksha’s sacrifice; that guardian of all created things, that being who is always cheerful, that protector of all beings, that God of unfading glory; that one with matted locks; that mover of all superior beings, that one whose navel is like that of a bull and who hath the bull for his symbol; that one who is proud like the bull, who is the lord of bulls; who is represented by the horns of the bull; and who is the bull of bulls; that one who hath the image of the bull on his banner; who is liberal to all righteous persons; who can be approached by Yoga only; and whose eyes are like those of a bull; who owneth very superior weapons:  who hath Vishnu himself for his arrow; who is the embodiment of righteousness; and who is called Maheswara; who is of vast stomach and vast body; who hath a leopard’s skin for his seat; who is the lord of the worlds; who is devoted to Brahma and who loveth Brahmanas; who is armed with trident; who is boon-giving; who wieldeth the sword and the shield, and who is highly auspicious, who wieldeth the bow called Pinaka, who is divested of the battle axe,[273] and who is the protector and lord of the universe.  I place myself in the hands of that divine Lord, that grantor of protection, that God attired in deer-skins.  Salutations, to that Lord of the celestials who hath Vaisravana for his friend.  Salutations ever to him of excellent vows; to him who hath excellent bowmen for his companions; to him who himself wieldeth the bow; to that God with whom the bow is a favourite weapon; who is himself the shaft impelled by the bow; who is the bowstring and the bow; and the preceptor teaching the use of the bow.  Salutations to the God whose weapons are fierce; and who is the foremost of all the gods.  Salutations to him of diverse forms; to him who hath many bowmen around him.  Salutations ever to him who is called Sthanu and who has a large number of excellent bowmen for his companions.  Salutations to him who destroyed the triple city.  Salutations to him who slew (the Asura) Bhaga.  Salutations to him who is the lord of trees and of men.  Salutations to him who is the lord of the (celestial), Mothers, and of those tribes of spirits known by the name of Ganas.  Salutations ever to him who is the lord of kine and of sacrifices.  Salutations ever to him who is the lord of the waters and the lord of the gods, who is the destroyer of Surya’s teeth, who is of three eyes, who is the grantor of boons; who is called Hara, who is blue-throated, and who is of golden locks.  I will now tell thee, according to my knowledge and as I have heard of them, all the