of knowledge) that were created by the learned.  The Rakshasa spirit who delivers to different battalions the commands which are implicitly obeyed by Indra and other gods, advanced in front of the army as standard-bearer.  And that foremost of Rakshasas, by name Pingala, the friend of Rudra, who is always busy in places where corpses are burnt, and who is agreeable to all people, marched with them merrily, at one time going ahead of the army, and falling behind again at another, his movements being uncertain.  Virtuous actions are the offerings with which the god Rudra is worshipped by mortals.  He who is also called Siva, the omnipotent god, armed with the Pinaka bow, is Maheswara.  He is worshipped in various forms.

“The son of Krittika, the leader of the celestial army, respectful to Brahmanas, surrounded by the celestial forces, also followed that lord of the gods.  And then Mahadeva said these weighty words to Mahasena, ’Do thou carefully command the seventh army corps of the celestial forces.’

“Skanda replied, ’Very well, my lord!  I shall command the seventh army corps.  Now tell me quickly if there is anything else to be done.’

“Rudra said, ’Thou shall always find me in the field of action.  By looking up to me and by devotion to me shalt thou attain great welfare.’

“Markandeya continued, ’With these words Maheswara received him in his embrace, and then dismissed him.  And, O great king, after the dismissal of Skanda, prodigies of various kinds occurred to disturb the equanimity of the gods.’

“The firmament with the stars was in a blaze, and the whole universe in a state of utter confusion.  The earth quaked and gave forth a rumbling sound, and darkness overspread the whole world.  Then observing this terrible catastrophe, Sankara with the estimable Uma, and the celestials with the great Maharshis, were much exercised in mind.  And when they had fallen into this state of confusion, there appeared before them a fierce and mighty host armed with various weapons, and looking like a mass of clouds and rocks.  Those terrible and countless beings, speaking different languages directed their movements towards the point where Sankara and the celestials stood.  They hurled into the ranks of the celestial army flights of arrows in all directions, masses of rock, maces, sataghnis, prasas and parighas.  The celestial army was thrown into a state of confusion by a shower of these terrible weapons and their ranks were seen to waver.  The Danavas made a great havoc by cutting up their soldiers, horses, elephants, chariots and arms.  And the celestial troops then seemed as if they were about to turn their backs upon the enemy.  And numbers of them fell, slain by the Asuras, like large trees in a forest burnt in a conflagration.  Those dwellers of heaven fell with their heads, separated from their bodies, and having none to lead them in that fearful battle, they were slaughtered by the enemy.  And then the god