rays of the Sun and the Moon, and them that dwell in the nether regions, and them that have betaken themselves to Renunciation and other superior practices for the sake of the Supreme.[1439] I bow always unto them that are unnumbered, that are unmeasured, and that have no form, unto those Rudras, that is, that are endued with infinite attributes.  Since thou, O Rudra, art the Creator of all creatures, since, O Hara, thou art the Master of all creatures, and since thou art the indwelling Soul of all creatures, therefore wert thou not invited by me (to my Sacrifices).  Since thou art He who is adored in all sacrifices with plentiful gifts, and since it is Thou that art the Creator of all things, therefore I did not invite thee.  Or, perhaps, O god, stupefied by thy subtile illusion I failed to invite thee.  Be gratified with me, blessed by thyself, O Bhava, with me possessed by the quality of Rajas.  My Mind, my Understanding, and my Chitta all dwell in thee, O god!

“Hearing these adorations, that Lord of all creatures, viz., Mahadeva, ceased (to think of inflicting further injuries on Daksha).  Indeed, highly gratified, the illustrious deity addressed Daksha, saying, ’O Daksha of excellent vows, pleased have I been with these adorations of thine.  Thou needst not praise me more.  Thou shalt attain to my companionship.  Through my grace, O progenitor of creatures, thou shalt earn the fruit of a thousand horse-sacrifices, and a hundred Vajapeyas (in consequence of this one incomplete sacrifice of thine).

“Once more, Mahadeva, that thorough master of words, addressed Daksha and said unto him these words fraught with high consolation, ’Be thou the foremost of all creatures in the world.  Thou shouldst not, O Daksha, entertain any feelings of grief for these injuries inflicted on thy Sacrifice.  It has been seen that in former Kalpas too I had to destroy thy Sacrifice.[1440] O thou of excellent vows, I shall grant thee again some more boons.  Take them from me.  Dispelling this cheerlessness that overspreads thy face, listen to me with undivided attention.  With the aid of arguments addressed to reason the deities and the Danavas have extracted from the Vedas consisting of six branches and from the system of Sankhya and Yoga a creed in consequence of which they have practised the austerest penances for many long years.  The religion, however, which I have extracted, is unparalleled, and productive of benefits on every side.  It is open to men in all modes of life to practise it.  It leads to Emancipation.  It may be acquired in many years or through merit by persons who have restrained their senses.  It is shrouded in mystery.  They that are divested of wisdom regard it as censurable.  It is opposed to the duties laid down in respect of the four orders of men and the four modes of life, and agrees with those duties in only a few particulars.  They that are well-skilled in the science of (drawing) conclusions (from premises) can understand its propriety: