The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c11.49

v1.c11.49

**Eighth objection:** The Purāṇas, both Śākta and Vaiṣṇavite, dilate largely on the disreputable character of Śiva. His favourite haunts are burning grounds and deserted places. He goes about naked, or dressed in a tiger skin, with snakes for garlands and ashes for cosmetics. His matted hair bespeaks a barbarian. His vehicle is a bull, and his attendants ghosts and goblins. By temper, most irascible, he is unsociable on account of being constantly stupefied with Indian hemp and *dhuturā* seeds. Hence the Devas often evinced great repugnance to associate with him, and, on one occasion, formally excluded him from the royal feast of Dakṣa. This can be only accounted for by supposing that the god was a stranger to the great body of the Aryan Devas, and not fitted by his character to enter into their brotherhood.