“Brahman said, ’O puissant one, the deities will henceforth yield thee a share of the sacrificial offerings!  O Lord of all the deities, let this wrath of thine be withdrawn by thee!  O scorcher of foes, there, those gods, and the Rishis, in consequence of thy wrath, O Mahadeva, have become exceedingly agitated.  This Being also, that hath sprung from thy sweat, O foremost of gods, shall wander among creatures, O righteous-souled one, under the name of Fever.  O puissant one, if the energy of this Being remains all collected together, then the entire earth herself will not be able to bear him.  Let him, therefore, be distributed into many parts.’  When Brahman had said these words, and when his proper share was appointed of the sacrificial offerings, Mahadeva replied unto the Grandsire of great energy, saying, ‘So be id’ Indeed, the wielder of Pinaka, viz., Bhava, smiled a little and became filled with joy.  And he accepted the share that the Grandsire appointed of the offerings in sacrifices.  Conversant with the properties of everything, Mahadeva then distributed Fever into many portions, for the peace of all creatures.  Listen, O son, as to how he did this.  The heat that is perceptible in the heads of elephants, the bitumen of mountains,[1402] the moss that floats on water, the slough of snakes, the sores that appear in the hoofs of bulls, the sterile tracts of earth that are full of saline matter, the dullness of vision of all animals, the diseases that appear in the throats of horses, the crests appearing on the heads of peacocks, the eye-disease of the koel,[1403] each of these was named Fever by the high-souled Mahadeva.  This is what has been heard by us.  The liver-disease also of sheep, and the hiccup of parrots are also each known as forms of Fever.  To this must be added the toil that tigers undergo, for that also, O, righteous king, is known as a from of Fever.  Besides these, O Bharata, amongst men, Fever enters all bodies at the time of birth, of death, and on other occasions.  This then that is called Fever is known to be the dreadful energy of Maheswara.  He is endued with authority over all creatures and should, therefore, be held in respect and worshipped by all.  It was by him that Vritra, that foremost of virtuous persons, was overtaken when he yawned.  It was then that Sakra hurled his thunderbolt at him.  Thunderbolt, penetrating the body of Vritra, O Bharata, divided him in twain.  Divided in twain by the thunderbolt, the mighty Asura possessed of great Yoga powers, proceeded to the region of Vishnu of immeasurable energy.  It was in consequence of his devotion to Vishnu that he had succeeded in overwhelming the whole universe.  And it was in consequence of his devotion to Vishnu that he ascended, when slain, to the region of Vishnu.  Thus, O son, adverting:  to the story of Vritra have I recited to thee the narrative in detail of Fever.  Upon what else shall I speak to thee?  That man who will read this account of the origin of Fever with close attention and cheerful heart shall become free from disease and shall always have happiness for his share.  Filled with gladness, he shall have all the wishes accomplished upon which he may set his heart.’”