AN UNTIMELY VISIT 629
form that the god is principally honoured. I have described elsewhere what this infamous figure represents. One finds
in several Puranas details of the origin of the superstitious worship of which it is the object. However much these details may vary, as to the main point the story is everywhere the same.:— Here, in abridged form, is what the
Linga-puranasays Brahma, Vishnu, and Vasishta, accompanied by a numerous following of illustrious penitents, went one day to Kailasa( the paradise of Siva) to pay
a visit to the god, and surprised him in the act of intercourse with his wife. He was not in the least disconcerted by the presence of the illustrious visitors, and so far from showing any shame at being discovered in such
a position, continued to indulge in the gratification of his sensual desires.
The fact was that the shameless god was greatly excited by the intoxicating liquors which he had drunk, and with
his reason obscured by passion and drunkenness, he was no longer in a state to appreciate the indecency of his conduct. At sight of him some of the gods, and especially Vishnu,
began to laugh; while the rest displayed great indignation and anger, and loaded the shameless Siva with insults and curses.
They said to him, Behold, thou art but a devil, thou art worse even than a devil! thou hast the form of one, and dost possess all the wickedness! We came here in a spirit of friendliness to pay thee a visit, and thou dost not blush to make us spectators of thy brutal sensuality!
Be accursed! Let no virtuous person from henceforth have any dealings with thee! Let all those who approach thee be regarded as brutes, and be banished from the society
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of honest folk!
After pronouncing these curses, the gods and the penitents
retired, covered with shame.
When Siva had recovered his senses a little, he asked his guards who it was that had come to visit him. They told
him everything that had taken place, and described to him the angry attitude that his illustrious friends had assumed.
The words of the guards fell on Siva and his wife Durga