1. Brahma and Vishnu once saw a pillar of fire that seemed to grow from the depths of the earth and to pierce beyond the highest heavens. They longed to learn its depth and height, and agreed that Brahma should become a swan to fly to the pillar's top, and Vishnu a boar to dig to its root. The swan flew up to the sky, but never reached the pillar's summit. The boar dug through the earth with his tusk, but never found where the pillar began. Brahma and Vishnu perforce acknowledged their limitations and prayed to the pillar, whereupon Siva revealed himself, for the pillar was a form he had assumed. Not even the greatest and

wisest of creatures can by their searching find out God. But to the humble-hearted He reveals Himself.

2. Ravana, the ten-headed giant king of Ceylon, while on his conquering progress through many realms, came to the North of India and saw Kailasa the silver mountain. Coveting its beauty he determined to uproot and transplant it to his own island. With his ten heads and twenty arms he tried to lift it from the earth, and Kailasa shook. All the hosts of heaven, and even Irma., were terrified by what seemed to them an awful earthquake. But Siva simply set his big toe upon the mountain, and lo, Ravana found himself being crushed to death. Repenting of his folly, Ravana prayed for mercy, and Siva not only forgave him but even gave him fresh boons. For God pardons sinners who repent, and gives them blessings which before they did not know.

3. Three Asuras, or supernatural beings, once by doing penance obtained from Siva three castles, one of gold, one of silver, and one of iron. These castles could fly at the owners' desire, and settle down on towns and villages, destroying many lives. In course of time the Asuras became very proud and ignored Siva. Determining to punish them, Siva mounted a chariot whose wheels were the sun and moon and whose scat was the earth. Brahma was his charioteer, the four Vedas the horses, Mount Meru his bow, the ancient serpent Adisesha his bow-string, and Vishnu his arrow. At sight of these preparations the gods became conceited, thinking that Siva could not destroy his enemies without them. Siva knowing their thoughts simply laughed, and at that laugh the three castles were on the instant reduced to ashes.

Those who forget God in their pride must be punished. When those whom God uses as his instruments begin to think themselves indispensable to him, he shews that his purposes can be fulfilled without them.