The History of Indian Literature c8.359

c8.359

¹³⁹ This is wrong. The gods send forth ants to gnaw the bowstring of Vishṇu, who stands leaning on his bended bow; the string, snapping and springing upwards, severs his head from his body. The same legend recurs not only in the parallel passage of the Taitt. Ár. (v. 1), but also in the Pañch. Br., vii. 5. 6; but whilst in the Śat. Br. it is related of Vishṇu, the Taitt. Ár. tells it of Makha Vaishṇava, and the Pañch. Br. of Makha alone (cf. also T. S., iii. 2. 4. 1). In the Śatapatha, Makha is only mentioned among the gods who assembled, though, to be sure, he appears immediately before Vishṇu.