that live in dissociation from all enjoyments, and that desire the
annihilation of the Prakriti elements. Thou art that high End, O
illustrious one, which is indescribable, which is stainless, which is the
immutable one, and which is theirs that are devoted to knowledge and
science. These are the live Ends that have been declared in the Vedas and
the Scriptures and the Puranas. It is through thy grace that persons
attain to those Ends, or, if they fail to attain to them, it is through
thy grace being denied to them.--It was thus Tandi, who was a vast heap
of penances, praised Isana. And he sang also that high Brahman which in
ancient days was sung by the Creator himself (in honour of Mahadeva).

"Upamanyu continued, 'Thus praised by that utterer of Brahma, Viz.,
Tandi, Mahadeva that illustrious and puissant Deity, who was accompanied
by his spouse lima, said these words. Tandi had further said,--Neither
Brahma, nor Indra nor Vishnu, nor the Viswedevas, nor the great Rishis,
know thee. Gratified at this, Siva said the following words.'

"The holy one said, 'Thou shalt be indestructible and eternal. Thou shalt
be freed from all sorrow. Great fame shall be thine. Thou shalt be endued
with energy. Spiritual knowledge shall be thine. All the Rishis shall
seek thee, and thy son, through my grace, shall become the author of
Sutras, O foremost of regenerate persons. What wishes of thine shall I
grant today? Tell me, O son, what those objects are which thou
desirest.--At this, Tandi joined his hands and said--O Lord, let my
devotion to thee be steady.'

"Upamanyu continued, 'Having given unto Tandi these boons and having
received the adorations of both the deities and the Rishis, the great
Deity disappeared there and then. When the illustrious deity, O lord of
the Yadavas, thus, disappeared with all his followers, the Rishi came to