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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MARCH, 1897.
Part No. IV. All hail to the great Gaņēša !
"Tell us the gloriouse story of Siva. How did the grent Siva himself, Sambhu, Paramèśvara, obtain the awe-inspiring name of Madhuk svara P Pray, kindly tell this to us who are listening."
Súta said: “Listen to this (story), O Rishis, which was formerly told by Skanda to Sanatkumara Rishi in Kailasa, in the house of Sankara. The lord of the ascetics asked Skanda concerning this story. I tell you the story which was related by Sarajanman. In the olden days in the Jâbâla" Kalpa, a great Astra, called Suda, son of KishmAksha, when his father was killed by the great Bhairava, fled through fear, bent upon saving his own) life. The Dånava remained (concealed) in a cave in the Sahyadris for a long time. Vidyunmalin, thinking him to be a powerful man, gave him his daughter in marriage. After his marriage that powerful man increased in power®7 on the top of the Sahyadri mountains. Vidyanmalin summoned all those (demons) who had escaped being slain by Bhairava, and (who) having fled in different directions, had gone to reside in the recesses of Patala: also those who lived in forests, in caves and on mountains. All the Daityas and the Danavas came at the call of Vidyanmâlin. They, having come near Sudn, beheld the chief of the Daityas, and thinking that the powerful Suda would protect them from the wrath of the gods, the warriors, having cheered loudly, became the followergo of Suda. That army, resembling an ocean (in point of size), became obedient to the orders of Suda. Once upon a time Ubanas 100 came to see the powerful Suda. Suda being informed (of his arrival) by Vidyanmalin, got op quickly, and, going near and saluting him, he worshipped him with arghyal and in other ways. Bhargava,' full of delight, accepted the seat offered him by Sodn, and having seated Suda, the leader of the Daityns, near him, Bhargava caressed him and lifted up his face with his hand and spoke to him kindly.
Sukra said :-'O child, are you in good health? Are all your followergo happy ? The whole of the kingdom belonging to your father is forcibly taken by the gods.
On hearing the words of Kavi, Suda with his hands folded said :-O Garn! owing to the influence of your favour I am happy in every way. From the day of my father's death (in battle) I took up my abode in the forest. Now, O Guru, show kindness to me so that I may regain my kingdom. So saying, he wept aloud and fell down on his face at his feet. He lifted Suda with his hands and seated him on a good seat, and, soothing him, said to Suda, who was then fall of grief: Build a fort in the Sahyadris, and, being accompanied by your Daityas and Danavas, make your residence there. I will come to you afterwards.
So saying and having pleased him,1o Sukra went away. Suda then, with the aid of the Daityas and Dänavas, and, being assisted by Vidyanmálin, went to the place he was told (to go to) by Sukra, and built a fortress. The king of the Daityas built a city in his own pamell
» Or famous
One of the "mind.born" sons of Radra: over pure and innocent. The Liiga-Purina has: "Being over as he was born, he is called a youth and his name is well known as Sanatkumara," AS "Born in the reeds," an epithet applied to Skanda. The resemblance to the story of Moses is ourious.
Probably means the age of the Yajurvéda. OT Or strength.
* Lit., sat near. » Lit., body of armed men. 100 The preceptor (guru) of the Daityas : known also as Kavi and Bukra, 1 A libation of water.
I. e., Ufanae, Sukra or Kavi. Lit., put his arm in front of his neck.
• A common practice.
Lit., army. .L., Ubanas, Sakra or Bhargava: lit., the poet. "Usanas is the poet among the poeta" (Sanakit saying). Voed also to desigaste Valmiki. In the text the preceptor of the Asuras is indicated. 1 Lit., essence.
II. e., Bukra the preceptor.
Lit., auspicious, 1. Lit., having delighted his mind,
11 Called it after himself.