become penetrated with fear and who were all very eager to obtain a sight of the deity of fire, saying, ’Ye gods, Agni is now residing in the nethermost regions.  Scorched by the energy of that deity, and unable to bear it longer, I have come hither.  The illustrious bearer of sacrificial libations, ye gods, is now under the waters.  He has created a mass of waters within which he is staying.  All of us have been scorched by his energy.  If, ye gods, ye desire to obtain a sight of him,—­verily, if ye have any business with him,—­do ye go to him thither.  Do, indeed, repair thither.  As regards ourselves, we shall fly from this place, ye deities, from fear of Agni.’  Having said this much, the frog dived into the water’.  The eater of sacrificial libations learnt of the treachery of the frog.  Coming to that animal, he cursed the whole batrachian race, saying, ’Ye shall henceforth be deprived of the organ of taste.  Having denounced this curse on the frog, he left the spot speedily for taking up his abode elsewhere.  Verily, the puissant deity did not show himself.  Seeing the plight to which the frogs were reduced for having done them a service, the deities, O best of the Bhrigus, showed favour unto those creatures.  I shall tell thee everything regarding it.  Do thou listen to me, O mighty-armed hero.’

“The Deities said, ’Though deprived of tongues through the curse of Agni and, therefore, reft of the sensation of taste, ye shall yet be able to utter diverse kinds of speech.  Living within holes, deprived of food, reft of consciousness, wasted and dried up, and more dead than alive, all of you will be held by the Earth nevertheless.  Ye shall also be able to wander about at night-time when everything is enveloped in thick darkness.’  Having said this unto the frogs, the deities once more went over every part of the earth for finding out the deity of blazing flames.  In spite of all their efforts, however, they failed to get at him.  Then, O perpetuator of Bhrigu’s race, an elephant, as large and mighty as the elephant of Sakra, addressed the gods, saying, ’Agni is now residing within this Aswattha tree!’ Incensed with wrath, Agni cursed all the elephants, O descendant of Bhrigu saying, ’Your tongues will be bent back.’  Having been pointed out by the elephants, the deity of fire cursed all elephants even thus and then went away and entered the heart of the Sami tree from the desire of residing within it for some time.  Listen now, O puissant hero, what favour was shown unto the elephants, O foremost one of Bhrigu’s race, by the deities of unbaffled prowess who were all gratified with the service a representative of their had done them.’