thee that living creatures may repeatedly come back
into the world, undergoing repeated deaths."'

"'"Narada continued, 'Hearing these words of Sthanu, the divine Brahman of
restrained speech and mind himself suppressed that energy of his within
his own heart. Suppressing that fire that had been devastating the
universe, the illustrious Brahman, adored of all, and possessed of
illimitable puissance, then arranged for both birth and death in respect
of all living creatures. After the Selfborn had withdrawn and suppressed
that fire, there came out, from all the outlets of his body, a lady
attired in robes of black and red, with black eyes, black palms, wearing
a pair of excellent ear-rings, and adorned with celestial ornaments.
Having sprung from Brahman's body, the lady took her station on his
right. The two foremost of deities thereupon looked at her. Then, O king,
the puissant Selfborn, the original cause of all the worlds, saluted her
and said, "O Death, slay these creatures of the universe. Filled with
anger and resolved to bring about the destruction of created beings, I
have called thee.[1110] Do thou, therefore, commence to destroy all
creatures foolish or learned. O lady, slay all created beings without
making exception in anybody's favour. At my command thou wilt win great
prosperity." Thus addressed, the goddess, Death, adorned with a garland
of lotuses, began to reflect sorrowfully and shed copious tears. Without
allowing her tears, however, to fall down, she held them, O king, in her
joined palms. She then besought the Self-born, impelled by the desire of
doing good to mankind.'"'"

SECTION CCLVIII

"'"Narada said, 'The large-eyed lady, controlling her grief by an effort of
her own, addressed the Grandsire, with joined hands and bending in an
attribute of humility like a creeper. And she said, "How, O foremost of
speakers, shall a lady like me that has sprung from thee proceed to
accomplish such a terrible feat,--a feat, that is, which is sure to
inspire all living creatures with dread? I fear to do aught that is
iniquitous. Do thou appoint such work for me as is righteous. Thou seest
that I am frightened. Oh, cast a compassionate glance upon me. I shall
not be able to cut off living creatures,--infants, youths, and aged
ones,--who have done me no injury. O lord of all creatures, I bow to
thee, be gratified with me. I shall not be able to cut off dear sons and
loved friends and brothers and mothers and