Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c9.5

v1.c9.5

to kill him at once. In the fight that ensued Śiva's host of demons were completely defeated and driven away. Then Viṣṇu, Subrahmaṇya and others tried, on behalf of Śiva, their strength with Vighnēśvara and met with no better result. Then Pārvatī, on seeing that her son Vighnēśvara, was fighting single-handed against powerful opponents, sent two minor goddesses to his help. They drew towards themselves by their mysterious power all the missiles aimed against Vighnēśvara and protected him from injury. Finding thus that no direct methods of attack succeeded as against Vighnēśvara, Viṣṇu thought of using strategy and with the aid of his *māyā* he caused confusion. Thereupon the two minor goddesses, finding their presence no longer of use there, returned to Pārvatī. It then became easy for Śiva to cut off and remove the head of Vighnēśvara.