viz., Daksha, desirous of performing a sacrifice, spread his sacrifice out, the dauntless Bhava, giving way to wrath (at Daksha’s slight of him), pierced (the embodied) sacrifice, shooting his shaft from his terrible bow, he roared aloud.  Indeed, when Maheswara became angry and suddenly pierced with his shaft the embodied form of sacrifice, the deities become filled with grief, losing happiness and tranquillity of heart.  In consequence of the twang of his bow-string the whole universe became agitated.  The deities and the Asuras, O son of Pritha, all became cheerless and stupefied.  The ocean rolled in agitation and the earth trembled to her centre.  The hills and mountains began to move from their bases and ran on every side.  The vault of the welkin became cracked.  All the worlds became enveloped in gloom.  Nothing could be seen.  The light of all the luminaries became darkened, along with that of the sun himself, O Bharata!  The great Rishis, penetrated with fear and desirous of doing good to themselves and the universe, performed the usual rites of propitiation and peace.  Meanwhile, Rudra of terrible prowess rushed against the deities.  Filled with rage, he tore out the eyes of Bhaga.  Incensed with wrath, he assailed Pushan with his foot.  He tore out the teeth of that god as he sat employed in eating the large sacrificial ball (called Purodasa).  Trembling with fear, the deities bent their heads to Sankara.  Without being appeased, Rudra once more placed on his bow-string a sharp and blazing arrow.  Beholding his prowess, the deities and the Rishis became all alarmed.  Those foremost of gods began to pacify him!  Joining their hands in reverence, they began to recite the Sata-rudriya Mantras.  At last Maheswara, thus praised by the deities, became gratified.  The deities than assigned a large share (of the sacrificial offerings) to him.  Trembling with fear, O king, they sought his protection.  When Rudra became gratified, the embodiment of sacrifice, which had been pierced in twain, became once more united.  Whatever limbs of his had been destroyed by the shafts of Mahadeva, became once more whole and sound.  The Asuras possessed of great energy had in days of yore three cities in the firmament.  One of these had been made of iron, one of silver, and the third of gold.  With all his weapons, Maghavat, the chief of the deities, was unable to pierce those cities.  Afflicted by the Asuras, all the deities then sought the protection of the great Rudra.  Assembled together the high-souled deities addressed him, saying, ’O Rudra, the Asuras threaten to exert their destructive influence in all acts!  Do thou slay the Daityas and destroy their city for the protection of the three worlds, O giver of honours!’ Thus addressed by them, he replied, saying, ‘So be it!’ and then made Vishnu his excellent shaft-head.  He made the deity of fire his shaft-reed, and Surya’s son Yama the wings of that shaft.  He made the Vedas his bow and the goddess Savitri his excellent