(Rajya-labha Parva continued)
"'Narada continued, "Then the celestial Rishis, the Siddhas, and the high-
souled Rishis possessing the attributes of tranquillity and self-restraint,
beholding that act of universal slaughter, were afflicted with great grief.
With passions and senses and souls under complete control, they then went
to the abode of the Grandsire, moved by compassion for the universe.
Arrived there, they beheld the Grandsire seated with gods, Siddhas, and
Brahmarshis around him. There were present that God of gods, viz.,
Mahadeva, and Agni, accompanied by Vayu, and Soma and Surya and Sakra, and
Rishis devoted to the contemplation of Brahma, and the Vaikhanasas, the
Valakhilyas, the Vanaprasthas, the Marichipas, the Ajas, the Avimudas, and
other ascetics of great energy. All those Rishis were sitting with the
Grandsire, when the celestial and other Rishis, approaching Brahman with
sorrowful hearts, represented unto him all the acts of Sunda and Upasunda.
And they told the Grandsire in detail everything that the Asura brothers
had done, and how they had done it, and in what order. Then all the
celestials and the great Rishis pressed the matter before the Grandsire.
The Grandsire, hearing everything they said, reflected for a moment and
settled in his mind what he should do. Resolving to compass the
destruction of the Asura brothers, he summoned Viswakarman (the celestial
architect). Seeing Viswakarman before him, the Grandsire possessed of
supreme ascetic merit commanded him, saying, 'Create thou a damsel capable
of captivating all hearts.' Bowing down unto the Grandsire and receiving
his command with reverence, the great artificer of the universe created a
celestial maiden with careful attention. Viswakrit first collected all
handsome features upon the body of the damsel he created. Indeed, the
celestial maiden that he created was almost a mass of gems. And created
with great care by Viswakarman, the damsel, in beauty, became unrivalled
among the women of the three worlds. There was not even a minute part of
her body which by its wealth of beauty could not attract the gaze of
beholders. And like unto the embodied Sri herself, that damsel of
extraordinary beauty captivated the eyes and hearts of every creature. And
because she had been created with portions of every gem taken in minute
measures, the Grandsire bestowed upon her the name of Tilottama. And as
soon as he started it into life, the damsel bowed to Brahman and with
joined palms said, 'Lord of every created thing, what task am I to
accomplish and what have I been created for?' The Grandsire answered, 'Go,
O Tilottama, unto the Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda. O amiable one, tempt
them with thy captivating beauty. And, O damsel, conduct thyself there in
such a way that the Asura brothers may, in consequence of the wealth of
thy beauty, quarrel with each other as soon as they cast their eyes upon
thee.'"
"'Narada continued, "Bowing unto the Grandsire and saying, 'So be it,'--the
damsel walked round the celestial conclave. The illustrious Brahman was
then sitting with face turned eastwards, and Mahadeva with face also
towards the east, and all the celestials with faces northwards, and the
Rishis with faces towards all directions. While Tilottama walked round the
conclave of the celestials, Indra and the illustrious Sthanu (Mahadeva)
were the only ones that succeeded in preserving their tranquillity of mind.
But exceedingly desirous as Mahadeva was (of beholding Tilottama) when the
damsel (in her progress round the celestial conclave) was at his side,
another face like a full-blown lotus appeared on the southern side of his
body. And when she was behind him, another face appeared on the west. And
when the damsel was on the northern side of the great god, a fourth face
appeared on the northern side of his body. Mahadeva (who was eager to
behold the damsel) came also to have a thousand eyes, each large and
slightly reddish, before, behind and on his flanks. And it was thus that
Sthanu the great god came to have four faces, and the slayer of Vala, a
thousand eyes. And as regards the mass of the celestials and the Rishis,
they turned their faces towards all directions as Tilottama walked round
them. Except the divine Grandsire himself, the glances of those
illustrious personages, even of all of them fell upon Tilottama's body.
And when Tilottama set out (for the city of the Asuras) with the wealth of
her beauty, all regarded the task as already accomplished. After Tilottama
had gone away, the great god who was the First Cause of the Universe,
dismissed all the celestials and the Rishis."'"