The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 213

Section CCXIII. *( Rājya-lava Parva continued. )* Vaisampayana said, "Nārada continued, 'Then the celestial Rishis, the *Siddhas*, and the high-souled Rishis possessing the attributes of *Shama* and *Dama*, beholding that act of universal slaughter, were affected with great grief. With their passions and senses and souls under complete control, they then went to the abode of the Grand-sire, moved by compassion for the universe. And arrived there, they beheld the Grand-sire seated, with the gods, the *Siddhas*, and the *Brahmarshis* around. And there were the god of gods—Mahadeva, and Agni accompanied by Vāyu, and the Moon and the Sun, and Shakra and Rishis devoted to the contemplation of Brahma, and the Vaikhānasas, the Vālikhillyas, the Vānaprasthas, the Marichipās, the Ajas, the Avimudas, and other ascetics of great energy. And all these Rishis had been sitting with the Grand-sire, when the celestial and other Rishis, approachinig Brahmā with sorrowful hearts, represented unto him all the acts of Sunda and Upasunda. And they represented unto the Grand-sire in detail everything that the Asura brothers had done, how they had done it all, and in what order. Then all the celestials and the great Rishis represented that very matter unto the Grand-sire. And the Grand-sire, hearing everything they said, reflected for a moment and settled in his mind as to what he should do. And resolving to compass the destruction of the Asura brothers, he summoned Viswakarmā (the celestial artificer). And seeing Viswakarmā before him, the Grand-sire possest of supreme ascetic merit commanded him, saying,—Create thou a damsel capable of captivating all hearts.—And bowing down unto the Grand-sire and receiving his command with reverence, the great artificer of the universe created a celestial maiden with careful attention. And Viswakrit first collected whatever of handsome creatures, mobile or immobile, there were in the three worlds. And he placed gems by crores upon the body of the damsel he created. Indeed, the celestial maiden that he created was almost a mass of gems. And created with great care by Viswa-karmā, the damsel, in beauty, became unrivalled among the women of the three worlds. And there was not even a minute part of her body which by its wealth of beaty could not rivet the gaze directed towards it of the beholders. And like unto the embodiment of Sree herself, that damsel of extraordinary beauty captivated the eyes and hearts of every creature. And because she had been created with portions of every gem taken in minute measures, the Grand-sire bestowed upon her the name of *Tilottamā.* And as soon as she started into life, the damsel bowed down to Brahmā and with joined hands said,—O lord of every created thing, what task am I to accomplish and for what have I been created?—And the Grand-sire answered,—Go, O Tilottamā, unto the Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda! And, O amiable one, tempt them mwith thy captivating beauty! And, O damsel, conduct thyself there in such a way that the Asura brothers may, in consequence of the wealth of thy beauty, quarrel with each other as soon as they cast their eyes upon thee!—' "Nārada continued, 'Bowing down unto the Grand-sire and saying—*So be it*,—the damsel walked round the celestial conclave. And the illustrious Brahmā was then sitting with face turned eastwards, and Mahadeva also with face towards the east, and all the celestials with face northwards, and the Rishis with faces towards all directions. And while Tilottamā was walking round the conclave of the celestials, Indra and the illustrious Sthānu (Mahadeva) were the only ones who succeeded in preserving their tranquillity of mind. And exceedingly desirous as Mahadeva was (of beholding Tilottamā), when that damsel (in her progress round the celesfial conclave) was at his side, another face like a full-bloomed lotus appeared on the southern side of his body. And when she was at his back, another face appeared on the west. And when the damsel was on the northern side of the great god, a fourth face appeared on the northern side of his body. And Mahendra also (who was eager to behold the damsel) came to have on his back, sides, and in front, a thousand eyes, each large and slightly reddish. And it was thus that Sthānu the great god came to have four faces, and the slayer of Vala, a thousand eyes. And as regards the mass of the celestials and the Rishis, they turned their faces towards all directions as Tilottamā walked round them. And excepting the god—the Grand-sire himself, the glances of those illustrious personages, even of all o them, fell upon Tilottamā's body. And when Tilottamā set out (for the city of the Asuras), all the celestials and the great Rishis, beholding the wealth of her beauty, regarded the task as already accomplished. And after Tilottamā had gone away, the great god who was the First cause of the universe, dismissed all the celestials and the Rishis.'" Thus ends the two hundred and thirteenth Section in the Rājya-lāva of the Adi Parva.