destitute of Vedic studies and vashats and sacrificial festivals and religious rites, became entirely cheerless.  And, O king, when men began to perish in this way, the survivors, afflicted with fear, fled for their lives in all directions.  And some fled to caverns and some behind mountain-streams and springs and some through fear of death, died without much ado.  And some who were brave and mighty bowmen cheerfully went out and took great trouble in tracking the Danavas.  Unable, however, to find them out, for the Asuras had sought refuge in the depths of the sea, these brave men came back to their homes gratified with the search.  And, O lord of men, when the universe was being thus destroyed, and when sacrificial festivals and religious rites had been suspended, the gods became deeply afflicted.  And gathering together with Indra in their midst they began, from fear, to take counsel of one another.  And repairing unto the exalted and uncreate Narayana—­that unvanquished god of Vaikuntha—­the celestials sought his protection.  And bowing unto the slayer of Madhu, the gods addressed him, saying, “O lord, thou art the creator, the protector, and the slayer of ourselves as well as of the universe.  It is thou who has created this universe with its mobile and immobile creatures.  O thou of eyes like lotus leaves, it was thou who in days of yore hadst for the benefit of all creatures raised from the sea the sunken earth, assuming also the form of a boar.  And, O best of male beings, assuming also the form of half-man and half-lion, thou hadst slain in days of yore that ancient Daitya of mighty prowess known by the name of Hiranyakasipu.  And that other great Asura also, Vali by name, was incapable of being slain by any one.  Assuming the form of a dwarf, thou exiledest him from the three worlds.  O lord, it was by thee that that wicked Asura, Jambha by name, who was a mighty bowman and who always obstructed sacrifices, was slain.  Achievements like these, which cannot be counted, are thine.  O slayer of Madhu, we who have been afflicted with fear, have thee for our refuge.  It is for this, O god of gods, that we inform thee of our present troubles.  Protect the worlds, the gods, and Sakra also, from a terrible fear."’”

SECTION CIII

“’The celestials said, “Through thy favour it is that all born beings of the four kinds increase.  And they being created, propitiate the dwellers of heaven by offerings made to the gods and the names of departed forefathers.  Thus it is that people, protected by thee and free from trouble live depending on one another, and (so) increase.  Now this peril hath befallen the people.  We do not know by whom are Brahmanas being killed during the night.  If the Brahmanas are destroyed, the earth itself will meet with destruction, and if the earth cometh to an end, heaven also will cease to exist.  O mighty-armed one, O lord of the universe! we beseech thee (to act so) that all the worlds, protected by thee, may not come to an end, so it may please thee.”