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and scatter those varieties of food in all directions.  In consequence of Rudra’s wrath, every one of those gigantic Beings looked like the all-destructive Yuga-fire.  Agitating the celestial troops they caused them to tremble with fear and fly away in all directions.  Those fierce spirits sported with one another, and seizing the celestial damsels shoved and hurled them on all sides.  Of fierce deeds, those Beings, impelled by Rudra’s wrath, very soon burnt that Sacrifice although it was protected with great care by all the deities.  Loud were the roars they uttered which struck every living creature with dread.  Having torn off the head of Sacrifice they indulged in glee and shouts.  Then the gods headed by Brahman, and that progenitor of creatures, viz., Daksha, joining their hands in reverence, addressed that mighty Being, saying, ‘Tell us, who thou art.’

“Virabhadra said, ’I am neither Rudra nor his spouse, the goddess Uma.  Nor have I come here for partaking of the fare (provided in this Sacrifice).  Knowing the fact of Uma’s wrath, the puissant Lord who is the soul of all creatures has given way to wrath.  I have not come here for seeing these foremost of Brahmanas.  I have not come here urged by curiosity.  Know that I have come here for destroying this Sacrifice of yours.  I am known by the name of Virabhadra and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra.  This lady (who is my companion), and who is called Bhadrakali, hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess.  We have both been despatched by that god of gods, and we have accordingly come here.  O foremost of Brahmanas, seek the protection of that Lord of the deities, the spouse of Uma.  It is preferable to incur even the wrath of that foremost of gods than to obtain boons from any other Deity.’  Hearing the words of Virabhadra, Daksha, that foremost of all righteous persons, bowed down unto Maheswara and sought to gratify him by uttering the following hymn, ’I throw myself at the feet of the effulgent Isana, who is Eternal, Immutable, and Indestructible; who is the foremost of all gods, who is endued with high soul, who is the Lord of all the universe.’ [Here follow five and half slokas which appear to be interpolations].  His praises having thus been hymned, the great god, Mahadeva, suspending both Prana and Apana (the two foremost of the five life-breaths) by shutting his mouth properly, and casting (benignant) glances on every side, showed himself there.  Possessed of many eyes, that vanquisher of all foes, that Lord of even the gods of all gods, suddenly arose from within the pit in which was kept the sacrificial fire.  Possessed of the effulgence of a thousand Suns, and looking like another Samvartaka, the great god smiled gently (at Daksha) and addressing him, said, ’What, O Brahmana, shall I do for you?’ At this juncture, the preceptor of all the deities adored Mahadeva with the Vedic verses contained in the Moksha sections.  Then that progenitor of all creatures, viz., Daksha, joining his hands in reverence, filled with dread and fear, exceedingly agitated, and with face and eyes bathed in tears, addressed the great god in the following words.’