on their ears; and some had stomachs resembling earthen vessels used for cooking.  Some were of very short statures, and some were very high in stature.  Some were tall and very fierce.  Some had grim features, some had long lips, and the genital limbs of some were very long.  Some had costly and diverse kinds of crowns upon their heads; and some had bald heads, and the heads of others were covered with matted locks.

They were capable of bringing down the firmament with the sun, moon, and stars, on earth, and exterminating the four orders of created things.  They know not what it is to fear, and are capable of enduring the frowns of Hara.  They always act as they like, and are the lords of the lords of the three worlds.  Always engaged in merry sports, they are thorough masters of speech and are perfectly free from pride.  Having obtained the eight kinds of divine attributes, they are never elated with pride.  The divine Hara is always filled with wonder at their feats.  They are devout worshippers of Mahadeva.  Adored by them in thought, word, and deed, the great god protects those worshippers of his, looking upon them, in thought, word, and deed as children of his own loins.  Filled with rage, they always drink the blood and fat of all haters of Brahma.  They always drink also the soma juice endued with four kinds of taste.  Having adored the trident-bearing god with Vedic recitations, with brahmacarya, with austerities, and with self-restraint, they have obtained the companionship of Bhava.  The divine Maheshvara, that lord of the past, the present, and the future as also Parvati, eat with those diverse tribes of mighty beings that partake of their own nature.

Causing the universe to resound with the peal of diverse kinds of instruments, with noise of laughter, with loud sounds and shrieks and leonine roar, they approached Ashvatthama.  Uttering the praises of Mahadeva and spreading an effulgent light all around, desirous of enhancing the honour of Ashvatthama and the glory of the high-souled Hara, and wishing to ascertain the extent of Ashvatthama’s energy, and desirous also of beholding the slaughter during the hour of sleep, armed with terrible and fierce bludgeons and fiery wheels and battle-axes, that crowd of strange beings, endued with terrible forms, came from every side.  They were capable of inspiring the three worlds with dread at their sight.  The mighty Ashvatthama, however, beholding them, felt no fear.  Drona’s son, armed with bow, and with fingers cased in fences made of iguana skins, himself offered up his own self as a victim unto Mahadeva.  Bows were the fuel, and sharp shafts were the ladles, and his own soul possessed of great might was the libation, O Bharata, in that act of sacrifice.  The valiant and wrathful son of Drona then, with propitiating mantras, offered up his own soul as the victim.  Having with fierce rites adored Rudra of fierce deeds, Ashvatthama with joined hands, said these words unto that high-souled god.