destroyed.  Therefore, let thy wrath be appeased.  Let it be annihilated in thy own self.  Cast thy eye on thy creatures, inspired with the desire of doing them good.  Do that by which creatures endued with life may not cease to be.  Let not these creatures, with their productive powers weakened be exterminated.  O Creator of the worlds, thou hast appointed me their Protector, O Lord of the universe, let not the mobile and the immobile universe to be destroyed.  Thou art inclined to grace, and it is for this that I say these words unto thee.’

“Narada continued, Hearing these words (of Mahadeva) the divine Brahma, from desire of benefiting creatures, held in his own inner self his wrath that had been roused.  Extinguishing the fire, the divine Benefactor of the world, the great Master, declared the duties of Production and Emancipation.  And while the Supreme Deity exterminated that fire born of his wrath, there came out from the doors of his diverse senses a female who was dark and red and tawny, whose tongue and face and eyes were red, and who was decked with two brilliant ear-rings and diverse other brilliant ornaments.  Issuing out of his body, she smilingly looked at those two lords of the universe and then set out for the southern quarter, Then Brahma, that controller of the creation and destruction of the worlds, called after her by the name of Death.  And Brahma, O king, said unto her, ’Slay these creatures of mine!  Thou hast been born of that wrath of mine which I cherished for the destruction (of the universe).  By doing this, kill all creatures including idiots and seers at my command.  By doing this, thou wilt be benefited.’  Thou lotus-lady, called Death, thus addressed by him reflected deeply, and then helplessly wept aloud in melodious accents.  The Grandsire then caught the tears she had shed, with his two hands, for the benefit of all creatures, and began to implore her (with these words).’

SECTION LII

“Narada said, ’The helpless lady, suppressing her arrow within her own self, addressed, with joined hands, the Lord of the creation, bending with humility like a creeper.  And she said, O foremost of speakers, created by thee how shall I, being a female, do such a cruel and evil act knowing it to be cruel and evil?  I fear unrighteousness greatly.  O divine Lord, be inclined to grace.  Sons and friends and brothers and sires and husbands are always dear; (if I kill them), they who will suffer these losses will seek to injure me.  It is this that I fear.  The tears that will fall from the eyes of woe-stricken and weeping persons, inspire me with fear, O Lord!  I seek thy protection.  O divine Being, O foremost of gods, I will not go to Yama’s abode.  O boon-giving one, I implore thee or thy grace, bowing my head and joining my palms.  O grandsire of the worlds, I solicit (the accomplishment of even) this wish at thy hands![84] I desire, with thy permission, to undergo ascetic penances, O Lord of created things!  Grant me this boon, O divine Being, O great master!  Permitted by thee, I will go to the excellent asylum of Dhenuka!  Engaged in adoring Thyself, I will undergo the severest austerities there.  I will not be able, O Lord of the gods, to take away the dear life-breaths of living creatures weeping in sorrow.  Protect me from unrighteousness.’