torium, abandoning all those delightful mansions? The
crematorium is full of the hair and bones (of the dead), abounds with
vulture and jackals, and is strewn with hundreds of funeral pyres. Full
of carrion and muddy with fat and blood, with entrails and bones strewn
all over it, and always echoing with the howls of jackals, it is
certainly an unclean place."

"'"'Maheswara said, "I always wander over the whole earth in search of a
sacred spot. I do not, however, see any spot that is more sacred than the
crematorium. Hence, of all abodes, the crematorium pleases my heart most,
shaded that it generally is by branches of the banian and adorned with
torn garlands of flowers. O thou of sweet smiles, the multitudes of
ghostly beings that are my companions love to reside in such spots. I do
not like, O goddess, to reside anywhere without those ghostly creatures
being by my side. Hence, the crematorium is a sacred abode to me. Indeed,
O auspicious lady, it seems to me to be the very heaven. Highly sacred
and possessed of great merit, the crematorium is much applauded by
persons desirous of having holy abodes."

"'"'Uma said, "O holy one, O lord of all creatures, O foremost of all
observers of duties and religious rites, I have a great doubt, O wielder
of Pinaka, O giver of boons. These ascetics, O puissant lord, have
undergone diverse kinds of austerities. In the world are seen ascetics
wandering everywhere under diverse forms and clad in diverse kinds of
attire. For benefiting this large assemblage of Rishis, as also myself,
do thou kindly resolve, O chastiser of all foes, this doubt of mine. What
indications has Religion or Duty been said to possess? How, indeed, do
men become unacquainted with the details of Religion or Duty to succeed
in observing them? O puissant lord, O thou that art conversant with
Religion, do thou tell me this."'

"'"Narada continued, 'When the daughter of Himavat put this question,
conclave of Rishis there present worshipped the goddess and adored her
with words adorned with Riks and with hymns fraught with deep import.

"'"'Maheswara said, "Abstention from injury, truthfulness of speech,
compassion towards all beings, tranquillity of soul, and the making of
gifts to the best of one's power, are the foremost duties of the
householder. Abstention from sexual congress with the spouses of other
men, protection of the wealth and the woman committed to one's charge,
unwillingness to appropriate what is