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done by servants.” “Go ask Bharata ; the son of the Master is the same as the Master," the Indra Dharaña told them. They spoke again, "We do not make any one else our Master, after having him, the Lord of Al. After resorting to the wishing-tree, who will care for the karira-tree ? 217 We do not seek any one else except the Supreme Lord. Does the cãtaka...seek another except the cloud ? Enough of that idea of yours—' Prosperity may come from Bharata and others.' Whatever happens from this Master, that may happen. What has any one else to do with it?"
Answered by them in this way, the lord of the serpents said, “I am lord of Pātāla, a servant of the Master only. This firm resolve of yours, O fortunate and noble ones, “The Master alone, and no one else, is to be served,' is a very good thing. By service to him, the Master of the World, royal wealth comes quickly to a man as if drawn by a noose. By service to him the Indraship of the Vidyādharas on Mt. Vaitādhya is exceedingly easy for men here to acquire, like hanging fruit. Just by service to him, the Sri of the lordship of the Bhavanas is attained without effort, like treasure deposited at one's feet. The Śri of the Indras of the Vyantaras attends upon those serving him, completely submissive as if from magic. The Śri of the lordship of the Jyotişkas quickly chooses of her own accord his servant, like a young woman choosing a fortunate youth in a syayamvara. From service to him alone comes the splendor suitable for Indras, just as varied splendors of flowers are produced by spring. From service to him they attain quickly the Sri of the Ahamindras, hard to win, who is like a younger sister of emancipation. A person serving him alone, the Lord of the World, obtains an abode from which there is no return (i.e., mokşa), always joyful. In this world, lord of the three worlds; in the other world, a
217 154. Capparis aphylla. A thorny desert plant.
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