The Colas c12.88

c12.88

‘O! Scion of the celebrated race of wise men who laid low the strength of those that opposed Śiva's ancient lore, who saw through the sophistry of the false doctrines, and preferring the truth and shunning error, completed the twenty-one ways of Vedic sacrifice!¹²⁶ Worn by you on the occasion of the sacrifice, the skin of the grass-eating stag of the forest shines over the sacred cord on your shoulder. Your wives, suited to your station, gentle and of rare virtue, wearing the netlike garment laid down in the *Śāstra* (for such occasions), sparing of speech, with small foreheads, large hips, abundant tresses, are carrying out the duties set for them. From the forest and from the town, having twice seven *paśus* in their proper places, supplying ghee more freely than water, making offerings which numbers cannot reckon and