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SETUBANDHA
41 serpents caused whirlpools as they twisted about, scared by the mountains dropping in front of them. (65)
The sea was covered with pale withered leaves from the sinking woods; and the helpless fish tossed about, intoxicated by the astringent sap exuding from the broken Madana trees.38 (66)
The tender creepers were crumpled up with their leaves and shoots crushed under the weight of the mountains; and the flowers of the trees lost their colour, withering in contact with the trees with poisonous leaves. (67)
The sky was obscured by the spray of the cascades on the summit of the mountains spinning in the whirlpools; and the serpents, overpowered by the smell of the plants that fell into the waters, 39 emerged helpless from the bottom of the sea. (68)
The sea was churned up by the flanks of the mountains moving round in the depth of the whirlpools; and was marked by the lustre of the gems embedded in the spacious hoods of the serpents emerging from the nether regions. (69)
70. Formed by the mountains, continuously released, 40 and coming together in a long unbroken series, the causeway appeared to be built in the sky, but vanished as it plunged into the sea.
71. Thereupon the apes began by degrees to be overcome by fatigue as the causeway that was to bring disaster to Lankā faded away, like their own zeal.
38. Plants with toxic properties. See Introd.
39. Serpents are believed to be unable to endure the smell of certain plants. See 4.63.
40. i.e., by the apes from above.
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