A History of Indian Literature v3.c35.s6.8

v3.c35.s6.8

But, at the sight of the ascetic Śiva the immovable, absorbed in deep meditation, sitting on a hide of a tiger, dressed in the skin of a black antelope, his head encircled by snakes, a rosary suspended from his ears, his motionless eyes extending upto the nose---"like a cloud, not affected by rains, like a lake without an inkling of a wave, like a lamp unstirred by the wind" (III,44-48) ;-Kāma becomes doubtful of success. And then—there appears Umā in her full majesty and bloom shows her reverence to Śiva. At this opportune moment the god of love darts his arrows at Him. But the latter restrains the awakening love, passing catches sight of Kāma and burns him with the flame of the third eye in his fore-head. Umā returns home in despair. Canto fourth describes the pathetic wails of Rati over the ashes of her burnt husband¹. Umā, now dresses herself in barks and takes to a harder course of asceticism. Her penance and pious devotion at last touch the heart of Śiva. There flow solicitations. Their marriage is like that of human beings. Śiva invites the seven sages (Saptarṣi) and Arundhatī and shows her the same respect as to the holy sages : distinction goes² not to sex, but to character. VI, 12 :