in attributes.  He is Vishnu, because of his pervading the universe.  He is irresistible.  Endued with spiritual vision, He is possessed of supreme Energy.  He sees all things with the eye of Yoga.  It is in consequence of the devotion of the high-souled Krishna to the illustrious Rudra whom he gratified.  O Bharata, in the retreat of Vadari, by penances, that he has succeeded in pervading the entire universe.  O king of kings, it is through Maheswara of celestial vision that Vasudeva has obtained the attribute of universal agreeableness,—­an agreeableness that is much greater than what is possessed by all articles included under the name of wealth.[32] For a full thousand years this Madhava underwent the austerest penances and at last succeeded in gratifying the illustrious and boon giving Siva, that Master of all the mobile and the immobile universe.  In every new Yuga has Krishna (by such penances) gratified Mahadeva.  In every Yuga has Mahadeva been gratified with the great devotion of the high-souled Krishna.  How great is the puissance of the high-souled Mahadeva,—­that original cause of the universe,—­has been seen with his own eyes by Hari who himself transcends all deterioration, on the occasion of his penances in the retreat of Vadari undergone for obtaining a son.[33] I do not, O Bharata, behold any one that is superior to Mahadeva.  To expound the names of that god of gods fully and without creating the desire of hearing more only Krishna is competent.  This mighty-armed one of Yadu’s race is alone competent to tell the attributes of the illustrious Siva.  Verily, O king, only he is able to discourse on the puissance, in its entirety of the Supreme deity?’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Having said these words, the illustrious Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, addressing Vasudeva, said the following words, dealing with the subject of the greatness of Bhava, O monarch.

“Bhishma said, ’Thou art the Master of all the deities and the Asuras.  Thou art illustrious.  Thou art Vishnu in consequence of thy pervading the whole universe.  It behoveth thee to discourse on those subjects connected with Siva of universal form about which Yudhishthira has asked me.  In days of yore, the Rishi Tandin, sprung from Brahma, recited in Brahma’s region and before Brahma himself the thousand names of Mahadeva.  Do thou recite those names before this conclave so that these Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, observant of high vows, possessed of self-restraint, and numbering the Island-born Krishna among them, may hear thee.  Do thou discourse on the high blessedness of Him who is immutable, who is always cheerful and happy, who is Hotri, who is the universal Protector, who is Creator, of the universe, and who is called Mundin and Kaparddin.’[34]

“Vasudeva said, ’The very deities with Indra, and the Grandsire Brahma numbering among them, and the great Rishis also, are incompetent to understand the course of Mahadeva’s acts truly and in all their details.  Even He is the end which all righteous people attain.  The very Adityas who are endued with subtile sight, are unable to behold his abode.  How then can one that is merely a man succeed in comprehending Him?[35] I shall, therefore, truly recite to you some of the attributes of that illustrious slayer of Asuras, who is regarded as the Lord of all sacrifices and vows.