for raising the (submerged) Earth.  Its bottom, lower than the nether regions, the vow observing regenerate Rishi Atri could not fathom after (toiling for) a hundred years.  It becomes the bed of the lotus-naveled Vishnu when at the termination of every Yuga that deity of immeasurable power enjoys yoga-nidra, the deep sleep under the spell of spiritual meditation.  It is the refuge of Mainaka fearful of falling thunder, and the retreat of the Asuras overcome in fierce encounters.  It offers water as sacrificial butter to the blazing fire issuing from the mouth of Varava (the Ocean-mare).  It is fathomless and without limits, vast and immeasurable, and the lord of rivers.

“And they saw that unto it rushed mighty rivers by thousands with proud gait, like amorous competitors, each eager for meeting it, forestalling the others.  And they saw that it was always full, and always dancing in its waves.  And they saw that it was deep and abounding with fierce whales and makaras.  And it resounded constantly with the terrible sounds of aquatic creatures.  And they saw that it was vast, and wide as the expanse of space, unfathomable, and limitless, and the grand reservoir of water.’”

And so ends the twenty-first section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

SECTION XXII

(Astika Parva continued)

“Sauti said, ’The Nagas after consultation arrived at the conclusion that they should do their mother’s bidding, for if she failed in obtaining her desire she might withdraw her affection and burn them all.  If, on the other hand, she were graciously inclined, she might free them from her curse.  They said, ‘We will certainly render the horse’s tail black.’  And it is said that they then went and became hairs in the horse’s tail.

“Now the two co-wives had laid the wager.  And having laid the wager, O best of Brahmanas, the two sisters Kadru and Vinata, the daughters of Daksha, proceeded in great delight along the sky to see the other side of the Ocean.  And on their way they saw the Ocean, that receptacle of waters, incapable of being easily disturbed, mightily agitated all of a sudden by the wind, and roaring tremendously; abounding with fishes capable of swallowing the whale and full of makaras; containing also creatures of diverse forms counted by thousands; frightful from the presence of horrible monsters, inaccessible, deep, and terrible, the mine of all kinds of gems, the home of Varuna (the water-god), the wonderful habitations of the Nagas, the lord of rivers, the abode of the subterranean fire; the residence of the Asuras and of many dreadful creatures; the reservoir of water, not subject to decay, aromatic, and wonderful, the great source of the amrita of the celestials; immeasurable and inconceivable, containing waters that are holy, filled to the brim by many thousands of great rivers, dancing as it were in waves.  Such was the Ocean, full of rolling waves, vast as the expanse of the sky, deep, of body lighted with the flames of subterranean fire, and roaring, which the sisters quickly passed over.’”