Matsyapurana 154.396

154.396

*munaya ūcuḥ
aho kṛtārthā vayameva sāṃprataṃ sureśvaro 'pyatra varo bhaviṣyati
bhavatprasādāmalavārisekataḥ phalena kācit tapasā niyujyate //

The Munis said:—"O Lord Śiva! we are highly gratified, so is Indra The Lord of the Devas is sitting before us. What better fruit can, one, practising a hard Tapasyâ, expect than one's getting Thy favour? This Himâchala is blessed whose daughter is practising devout asceticism to get Thee. Târakâsura, the annihilator of the Devas, is also blessed for he will leave his body through Thy son. Brahmâ and Viṣṇu, who are now being highly tormented by the power and influence of Târakâsura, are also blessed on account of Their contemplating on Thee the Destroyer of ills. Thou art described to be the Doer of many things under many forms. The stupid persons chant Thy name only under various words Thou art the only one who knowest all about the Universe, else Thou wouldst be known as pitiless. Or, it can be said Thou knowest nothing of this painful world For Thou art actionless. And if Thou dost remain indifferent, seeing all these pains and troubles, then, how can we call Thee merciful. Thou dost rest on Thy Yoga Mâyâ, hence, Thou art pure and undefiled and Thou dost take no pride in good deeds, powers and bibhuties. We are blessed among the corporal beings. otherwise, how could we have met Thee? Now this is our prayer:—That our desires may be fulfilled by meeting Thee. Now it behovest Thee to act in such a way that this universe which is now in trouble may come to peace We are the messengers of the Deva Indra. We, consequently, bow down to Thee."—397-403 The seven sages expressed Their prayers sweetly as a good farmer scatters his seeds in a well ploughed field and then bowed down to Him—404