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MARCH, 1897.] SPECIMENS OF MODERN BRAHMANICAL LEGENDS.
become proud, spoke kindly to them as follows:He who finds out (discovers) the bottom and top of this great linga is the only creator of the world: otherwise he is foolish.'
71.
On hearing these words, they both made oaths. Brahmâ, wishful of seeing the top of it (the linga), assumed the form of a swan. Vishnu in the form of a boar went to the deep bottom (of the linga). Hari, after wandering for many years without seeing the bottom, went back to the presence of 'Siva. O Brâhmans, Brahmâ with tired wings and mortified in his mind, unable to reach the top, flew many yojanas without seeing the top of the linga, and he became very sorrowful.84 In this case Vidhi saw the flower of the kêtaki falling from the top of the linga. Seeing them he questioned: O kétaki flower, whence have you come? The kétaki replied: 'I come from the top of the linga. I have passed many yugas (ages) in coming, and my body is fatigued. Now I am going to Siva.'
On hearing this speech of the ketaki (flower), Brahmâ, being very much fatigued, said: - You say that we have, both of us, come from the top of the linga'; whereon the kétaki (flower) said: Very well' (so be it); and then they went together into the presence of Siva.
Siva (Sambhu) asked them both if they had come after having seen (the top and the bottom of the linga). Vishnu replied:-'O god, the bottom was not seen by me.' Vidhi said falsely that the top had been seen by him. On hearing this, Sankara became angry, and asked the kétali (flower) about it. The kétaki replied:-O Lord, we have both come together from the top (of the linga): Vidhi's statement is not false.' On hearing this speech of the kétaki, the Lord cursed them both.85 O Brahmâ, in consequence of this falsehood that you haye uttered you shall not deserve worship on the surface of the earth. O Vidhi, from this day forth be always senseless.80 O ketak, on account of your falsehood, I curse you also; you shall not be worshipped87 any more on my head.' Sambhu, having cursed them both in this way, spoke kindly to Vishnu :O Hari, of true speech, deserve worship always among men;89 those mortals who worship you will be held to have pleased (or satisfied) me also.' So saying, SambhuSanatanas disappeared into the linga. From that day forward he (Siva) became famous in Kasi under the name of Viśvêsa (Master of the World).
Then the kétaki spoke to Vidhi in abundant (uncontrollable) sorrow:-'O Brahmâ, in consequence of your words (advice) I have come under (incurred) this terrible curse. I cannot endure being for a single day without the lotus-like feet of 'Siva.' On hearing this manner of speech, Brahmâ said to the kétaki:Go to the great city of Vanavast which soon yields all desires, and perform austerities with great devotion in the vicinity of Madhukėsvara. The curse uttered by Siva can be removed by him only and not by others.' Acting on Vidhi's advice the ké taki, having carbed its passions, devoutly performed austerities for a long time in Vanavisi, contemplating (meditating upon) Siva. (At length) Sambhu appeared in the linga, wishful of conferring a boon upon the kêtaki, who on seeing the god appearing addressed him thus: O Hara! O Sambhu! O Mahâdêva! O merciful one! O thou that art full of love to thy devotees! I told a lie through ignorance and by the advice of Vidhi. O eternal Siva ! Store of mercy! Forgive me! Forgive me! Have compassion! I cannot remain (be at rest) without getting (being) near, or at, your lotus-like feet.' Thus speaking, the kétaki fell prostrate on the ground many times. Prabhu (the Lord), listening to the kétaki, himself conferred a boon upon it. Bhagavan (Siva) said as follows:- By my order (word) you become undeserving (unworthy of honour) on any day but the holy Sivaratri.' So saying he then disappeared into the linga called Madhuka. From that day it (the kétaki flower) became the favourite of (sacred to) 'Siva on that night It was for this reason that king Malla offered kitak flowers with devotion to the eternal Madhukêsvara. Those who especially worship the god Siva on the night of Sivaratri with ketuki flowers get near the feet of Siva."92
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85 I, e., Brahma and the kétaki,
87 Lit., deserve worship.
89 The eternal one.
Lit., full of care.
86 Lit., of dull intellect.
Lit., in the world.
The ling at Vanavàst is so called. There are two linge at Vanavasi.
90 Lit., words.
91 I. e., obtain Siva's favour.
