and they who have transcended all the modes of life are worthy of adopting it.  In days of yore, O Daksha, this auspicious religion called Pasupata had been extracted by me.  The proper observance of that religion produces immense benefits.  Let those benefits be thine, O highly blessed one!  Cast off this fever of thy heart.’  Having said these words, Mahadeva, with his spouse (Uma) and with all his attendants disappeared from the view of Daksha of immeasurable prowess.  He who would recite this hymn that was first uttered by Daksha or who would listen to it when recited by another, would never meet with the smallest evil and would attain to a long life.  Indeed, as Siva is the foremost of all the deities, even so is this hymn, agreeable with the Srutis, is the foremost of all hymns.  Persons desirous of fame, kingdom, happiness, pleasure, profit, and wealth, as also those desirous of learning, should listen with feelings of devotion to the recital of this hymn.  One suffering from disease, one distressed by pain, one plunged into melancholy, one afflicted by thieves or by fear, one under the displeasure of the king in respect of his charge, becomes freed from fear (by listening or reciting this hymn).  By listening to or reciting this hymn, one, in even this earthly body of his, attains to equality with the spirits forming the attendants of Mahadeva.  One becomes endued with energy and fame, and cleansed of all sin (through the virtue of this hymn).  Neither Rakshasas, nor Pisachas, nor ghosts, nor Vinayakas, create disturbances in his house where this hymn is recited.  That woman, again, who listens to this hymn with pious faith, observing the while the practices of Brahmacharya, wins worship as a goddess in the family of her sire and that of her husband.[1441] All the acts of that person become always crowned with success who listens or recites with rapt attention to the whole of this hymn.  In consequence of the recitation of this hymn all the wishes one forms in one’s mind and all the wishes one clothes in words become crowned with fruition.  That man obtains all objects of enjoyment and pleasure and all things that are wished for by him, who, practising self-restraint, makes according to due rites offerings unto Mahadeva, Guha, Uma, and Nandi, and after that utters their names without delay, in proper order and with devotion.  Such a man, departing from this life, ascends to heaven, and has never to take birth among the intermediate animals or birds.  This was said even by the puissant Vyasa, the son of Parasara.’”

SECTION CCLXXXVI

“Yudhishthira said, ’Tell me, O grandsire, what is Adhyatma with respect to man and whence it arises.’