mark of femininity that distinguishes Uma; while all creatures that are masculine, having sprung from Siva, bear the masculine mark that distinguishes Siva.  That person who says that there is, in the three worlds with their mobile and immobile creatures, any other cause than the Supreme Lord, and that which is not marked with the mark of either Mahadeva or his spouse should be regarded as very wretched and should not be counted among the creatures of the universe.  Every being with the mark of the masculine sex should be known to be of Isana, while every being with the mark of the feminine sex should be known to be of Uma.  This universe of mobile and immobile creatures is provided by two kinds of forms (viz., male and female).  It is from Mahadeva that I wish to obtain boons.  Failing in this, O Kausika, I would rather prefer dissolution itself.  Go or remain, O Sakra, as thou, O slayer of Vala, desirest.  I wish to have boons or curses from Mahadeva.  No other deity shall I ever acknowledge, nor would I have from any other deity the fruition of all my wishes.—­Having said these words unto the chief of the celestials, I became overwhelmed with grief at the thought of Mahadeva not having been gratified with me not withstanding my severe austerities.  Within the twinkling of an eye, however, I saw the celestial elephant I had beheld before me transformed into a bull as white as a swan, or the Jasminum pubescens, or a stalk of the lotus or silver, or the ocean of milk.  Of huge body, the hair of its tail was black and the hue of its eyes was tawny like that of honey.  Its horns were hard as adamant and had the colour of gold.  With their very sharp ends, whose hue was a mild red, the bull seemed to tear the Earth.  The animal was adorned all over with ornaments made of the purest gold.  Its face and hoofs and nose and ears were exceedingly beautiful and its waist too exceedingly well-formed.  Its flanks were possessed of great beauty and its neck was very thick.  Its whole form was exceedingly agreeable and beautiful to look at.  Its hump shone with great beauty and seemed to occupy the whole of its shoulder-joint.  And it looked like the summit of a mountain of snow or like a cliff of white clouds in the sky.  Upon the back of that animal I beheld seated the illustrious Mahadeva with his spouse Uma.  Verily, Mahadeva shone like the lord of stars while he is at his full.  The fire born of his energy resembled in effulgence the lightening that flashes amid clouds.  Verily, it seemed as if a thousand suns rose there, filling every side with a dazzling splendour.  The energy of the Supreme Lord looked like the Samvartaka fire which destroys all creatures at the end of the Yuga.  Overspread with that energy, the horizon became such that I could see nothing on any side.  Filled with anxiety I once more thought what it could mean.  That energy, however, did not pervade every side for any length of time, for soon, through the illusion of that god of gods, the horizon became clear.  I then behold