Indeed, having taken up that foremost of weapons,
the great god began to say, 'Where is he? Where is he?' Meanwhile,
Usanas, having ascertained the purpose of Mahadeva (through Yoga-power)
from a distance, waited in silence. Indeed, having ascertained the fact
of the wrath of the high-souled Maheswara of superior Yoga-power, the
puissant Usanas began to reflect as to whether he should go to Maheswara
or fly away or remain where he was. Thinking, with the aid of his severe
penances, of the high-souled Mahadeva, Usanas of soul crowned with
Yoga-success, placed himself on the point of Mahadeva's lance. The
bow-armed Rudra, understanding that Usanas, whose penances had become
successful and who had converted himself into the form of pure Knowledge,
was staying at the point of his lance (and finding that he was unable to
hurl the lance at one who was upon it), bent that weapon with hand. When
the fierce-armed and puissant Mahadeva of immeasurable energy had thus
bent his lance (into the form of a bow), that weapon came to be called
from that time by the name of Pinaka.[1493] The lord of Uma, beholding
Bhargava thus brought upon the palm of his hand, opened his mouth. The
chief of the gods then threw Bhargava into his mouth and swallowed him at
once. The puissant and high-souled Usanas of Bhrigu's race, entering the
stomach of Maheswara, began to wander there.'
"Yudhishthira said, 'How, O king, could Usanas succeed in wandering
within the stomach of that foremost of superior intelligence? What also
did that illustrious god do while the Brahmana was within his
stomach?'[1494]
"Bhishma said, 'In days of yore (having swallowed up Usanas), Mahadeva of
severe vows entered the waters and remained there like an immovable stake
of wood, O king, for millions of years (engaged in Yoga-meditation).
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