fathers. If these die (through
my act), their surviving relatives will surely curse me. I am filled with
fear at the prospect of this.[1111] The tears of the sorrow-stricken
survivors will burn me for eternity. I am very much afraid of them (whose
relatives I shall have to cut off). I seek thy protection. All sinful
creatures (slain by me) will have to sink into the infernal regions. I
seek to gratify thee, O boon-giving god! Extend to me thy grace, O
puissant lord! I seek the gratification of this wish, O Grandsire, of all
the worlds. O foremost of all the gods, I seek, through thy grace, even
this object, viz., permission to undergo severe austerities."

"'"'The Grandsire said, "O Death, thou hast been intended by me for the
destruction of all creatures. Go, and set thyself to the task of slaying
all. Do not reflect (upon the propriety or otherwise of this act). This
must certainly be. It cannot be otherwise. O sinless one, O lady of
faultless limbs, do thou accomplish the behest I have uttered." Thus
addressed, O thou of mighty arms, the lady called Death, O conqueror of
hostile cities, spoke not a word, but humbly stood there with her eyes
upturned towards the puissant Lord of all creatures. Brahman addressed
her repeatedly, but the lady seemed to be herself deprived of life.
Beholding her thus, the god of gods, that lord of lords, became silent.
Indeed, the Self-born, by an effort of his will, became gratified.
Smiling, the lord of all the worlds then cast his eyes on the universe.
It has been heard by us that when that unconquered and illustrious lord
subdued his wrath, the lady (called Death) went away from his side.
Leaving Brahman's side without having promised to accomplish the
destruction of living creatures, Death quickly proceeded, O king, to the
sacred spot known by the name of Dhenuka. There the goddess practised the
severest austerities for five and ten billions of years, all the while
standing upon one foot.[1112] After she practised such exceedingly severe
austerities in that place, Brahman of great energy once more said unto
her, "Do thou accomplish my behest, O Death!" Disregarding this command,
the lady once more practised penances standing upon one foot for twenty
billions of years, O giver of honours! And once more, O son, she led a
life in the woods with the deer for another long period consisting of ten
thousand billions of years.[1113] And once, O foremost of men, she passed
twice ten thousand y