“Vali said, ’I do not know whether she is an Asura damsel or a celestial one or a human one.  Thou mayst not ask her thyself.  Do what pleases thee.’

“Sakra said, ’O thou of sweet smiles, who art thou that art possessed of such radiance and adorned with plumes that thus issuest from the body of Vali.  I do not know thee.  Kindly tell me thy name.  Who, indeed, art thou that thus standest here as Maya herself, blazing with thy own splendour, after having deserted the lord of the Daityas?  O, tell me this as I question thee.’

“Sree said, ’Virochana did not know me.  This Vali also that is the son of Virochana knows me not.  The learned called me by the name of Duhshaha.[844] Some knew me by the name of Vidhitsa.[845] I have other names also, O Vasava!  They are Bhuti, Lakshmi, and Sree.[846] Thou knowest me not, O Sakra, nor doth any one among the deities know me.’

“Sakra said, ’O lady that is difficult of being borne, why do you desert Vali now after having lived in him for a long time?  Is it due to any act of mine or is it due to any act that Vali has done?’

“Sree said, ’Neither the Creator nor the Ordainer rules me.  It is Time that moves me from one place to another.  Do not, O Sakra, disregard Vali.’

“Sakra said, ’For what reason, O goddess adorned with plumes, do you desert Vali?  Why also do you approach me (for living in me)?  Tell me this, O thou of sweet smiles!’

’Sree said, ’I live in truth, in gifts, in good vows, in penances, in prowess, and in virtue.  Vali hath fallen off from all these.  Formerly, he was devoted to the Brahmanas.  He was truthful and had controlled his passions.  Latterly, however, he began to cherish feelings of animosity towards the Brahmanas and touched clarified butter with soiled hands.[847] Formerly, he was always engaged in the performance of sacrifices.  At last, blinded by ignorance and afflicted by Time he began to boast before all persons, saying that his adorations towards me were ceaseless.  Deserting him (for these faults) I shall henceforth, O Sakra, dwell in thee.  Thou shouldst bear me without heedlessness, and with penances and prowess.’

“Sakra said, ’O thou that dwellest amid lotuses, there is not a single person among gods, men, and all creatures, that can bear thee for ever.’

“Sree said, ’Truly, O Purandara, there is none among gods, Gandharvas, Asuras, or Rakshasas, that can bear me for ever.’

“Sakra said, ’O auspicious lady, tell me how I should conduct myself so that thou mayst dwell in me always.  I shall certainly obey thy behests.  It behoveth thee to answer me truly.’

“Sree said, ’O chief of the deities, I shall tell thee as to how I may be enabled to dwell in thee always.  Divide me into four parts according to the ordinance laid down in the Vedas.’

“Sakra said, ’I shall assign the habitations according to their strength and power in bearing thee.  As regards myself, I shall always take care, O Lakshmi, that I may not offend thee in any way.  Amongst men, the earth, that progenitrix of all things, bear them all.  She shall bear a fourth part of thyself.  I think she hath the strength to do it.’