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14. THE CONCEPT OF AVATARS
The quarters assumed a terrific aspect; the Sun went down the horizon. In that time of distress the Devas became anxious what evil might come down. O ascetics! While the Devas were thus cogitating, the head with crown on it of the Devadeva Visnu vanished away; no body knew where it fell.
31-36. When the awful darkness disappeared, Brahma and Mahadeva saw the disfigured body of Visnu with its head off. Seeing that headless figure of Visnu they were greatly surprised; they were drowned in the ocean of cares and, overwhelmed with grief, began to weep aloud. O Lord! O Master! O Devadeva! O Eternal one! What unforeseen extraordinary mishap occurred to us to-day! O Deva! Thou canst not be pierced nor cut asunder, nor capable of being burnt; how is it then that Thy head has been taken away! Is this the Mâyâ (majic) of some. Deva? O all pervading one! The Devas cannot live when Thy condition is thus; we do not know what affection dost Thou have towards us. We are crying because of our selfish ends; perhaps this therefore has occurred. The Daityas, Yaksas, or Râkhsasas have not done this; O Lord of Laksmi! Whose fault will we ascribe this to? The Devas themselves have committed this loss to themselves?
37-41. O Lord of the Devas! The Devas are now dependent! They are under Thee. Now where are we to go? What are we to do? There is none to save the dull stupid Devas!
At this juncture, seeing S'iva and the other Devas crying, Brihaspati, supremely versed in the Vedas, consoled them thus :-- "O highly fortunate one! What use there will be in thus crying and repenting? It ought you now to consider the means that you should adopt to redress your calamities. O Lord of the Devas! Fate and one's own exertion and intelligence are equal; if the success comes not through Fate (Luck or chance) one is certainly to show one's prowess and merit".
42-46. Indra said :-- Fie to your exertion when, before our eyes, the head of Bhagavân Visnu Himself has been carried off! Fie, Fie to your prowess and intelligence! Fate is in my opinion, the supreme. ....
47-50. O Glorious ones! .... meditate on the Eternal Mahâmâyâ; who is the Mother of all, who is supporter of all, who is of the nature of Brahmâvidyâ (the Supreme Knowledge) and who is beyond the Gunas, who is the Prime Prakriti, and who pervades the three Lokas, the whole universe, moving and unmoving; She will dispense our welfare. ....
51-54. Brahmâ said : -- "O Vedas! Now go on and chant hymns to the Sacred Highest Devi Mahâmâyâ, who is Brahmavidya, who brings all issues to their successful issues, who is hidden in all forms." Hearing His words, the all-beautiful Vedas began to chant hymns to Mahâmâyâ who can be comprehended by Jñan, and who pervades the world.
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