Setubandha

SR No.: 001384
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1976
Total Pages: 812
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Literature
File Size: 14 MB

Page 253

92
SETUBANDHA
because of the ever fresh woods. It brought sleep to those who resorted to its lakes.
44. It gave pleasure to the proud demons.31 The water was darkened by the Bibhitaka trees growing in its caves; while the summit was beautiful with the clear effulgence of its silver. It was destructive with the potency of its poison trees.
45. The trunks of the sandal trees, surrounded with fullgrown poison-destroying plants, were shunned by serpents;32 while the lustre of the gems on the hoods of the serpents that passed by dispelled the shadows of the trees.
46. The mountain whitened the earth with the radiance of its crystal rocks. On it was heard the sweet speech of the celestial nymphs. It could not entirely be washed even by the waters of the epoch of destruction. Silver resembling the new moon emerged from its caves.
47. It had beautiful caves and river-banks. It was covered with the delightful hue of gold, and at night showed the way to the planets on its summit. It sheltered all the celestial nymphs held captive (by Rāvana) 33
48. There, the boar as it came out of the mire was attacked by the lion, but turned back, eluding and baffling the latter; and the clusters of leaves, dropping from the golden trees into the waters of the lakes, disappeared because of their weight.
49. With its peaks, like arms, the mountain embraced the beautiful Sky, lovely with the blue clouds full of water, and bedecked with the marvellous girdle of stars worn by her; and seemed thereby to give offence to the Regions of the sky.34
31. i.e., the Rākṣasas of Lanka.
32. Sandal trees are usually described as being haunted by serpents. Here they avoid the trees owing to the presence of the poison-destroying plants. See 4.63 and 7.68.
33. Trans. follows Kṛṣṇa except in the last line for which see Kulanätha in Extracts.
34. The sky is personified as the mountain's mistress; while the regions of the sky, overshadowed by the mountain, are figured as disgruntled rivals.