weapons and destructive of foes and the hewer of hostile forces and
unrivalled and difficult to be borne even by the celestials, the demons
and the _Rakshasas_. Then at the command of that god, I sat me down
there. And in my very sight the god vanished from the spot.'"


SECTION CLXVII

"Arjuna said, 'O Bharata, by the grace of that god of gods the Supreme
Soul, _Tryamvaka_, I passed the night at that place. And having passed
the night, when I had finished the morning rituals, I saw that foremost
of the _Brahmanas_ whom I had seen before. And unto him I told all as it
had happened, O Bharata, namely, that I had met the divine _Mahadeva_.
Thereupon, O king of kings, well-pleased, he said unto me, "Since thou
hast beheld the great god, incapable of being beheld by any one else,
soon wilt thou mix with _Vaivaswata_ and the other _Lokapalas_ and the
lord of the celestials; and Indra too will grant thee weapons." O king,
having said this unto me and having embraced me again and again, that
_Brahmana_ resembling the Sun, went away whither he listed. And, O
slayer of foes, it came to pass that on the evening of that day
refreshing the whole world, there began to blow a pure breeze. And in my
vicinity on the base of the _Himalaya_ mountain fresh, fragrant and fair
flowers began to bloom. And on all sides there were heard charming
symphony and captivating hymns relating to Indra. And before the lord of
the celestial hosts of _Apsaras_ and _Gandharvas_ chanted various songs.
And ascending celestial cars, there approached the _Marutas_ and the
followers of _Mahendra_ and the dwellers of heaven. And afterwards,
Marutvan together with _Sachi_ and all the celestials appeared on the
scene in cars yoked with horses elegantly adorned. And at this very
moment, O king, he that goeth about on the shoulders of men manifested