Elements of Hindu Iconography v2.c16.17

v2.c16.17

**Sitikantha.** thrust his flaming trident again and again at Daksha and the assembled gods, and thus burnt everything with it. The trident having done its duty flew and fell near the *āśrama* (hermitage) of the *ṛishis* Nara and Nārāyaṇa at Badari with terrific force. The glow of the weapon was so great that the hair on the head of Nārāyaṇa turned green like the *muñja* grass. Nārāyaṇa thereupon repelled the trident, which returned to its owner howling. Śaṅkara, in anger, ran up to Nārāyaṇa, when the latter, fearing injury at the hands of Śiva, seized him by his throat. Hence the name Sitikaṇṭha (*mamapāṇy-aṅkitaś-chāpi śrīkaṇṭas tvam bhavishyasi*).