CHAP. VIII - WORSHIP OF BEINGS IN STRANGE SHAPES

Summary

SECT. I.—Urdhŭ-narēēshwŭrŭ

Here Shivŭ and Doorga are united in one body, white and yellow. The origin of this image is thus given in the Lingŭ pooranŭ:—Shivŭ and Doorga after their marriage lived on mount Koilasŭ, where Doorga kept the house, cooked, and nursed her two children, Gŭnéshŭ and Kartikŭ; and Shivŭ supported the family as a mendicant. On a certain occasion, Shivŭ, having one day smoked intoxicating herbs to excess, was unable to go his daily rounds. Doorga informed him that there was nothing in the house; that the family had eaten half of what was collected the day before, and that Gŭnéshŭ's rat and Kartikŭ's peacock had devoured the rest. After much altercation, Shivŭ left his hut, and Doorga, to avoid perishing for want, went to her father's, taking her children with her. On the way Narŭdŭ met her, and advised her to assume the form of the goddess Ŭnnŭ-pōōrna, and lay an embargo on all the food where Shivŭ would ask for alms. She did so; and Shivŭ begged in vain for a handful of rice. Narŭdŭ at length meeting Shivŭ also, pursuaded him to return to his wife: Doorga received him with jay, and relieved his hunger; which so pleased the old mendicant, that in pressing her in his arms both bodies became one.