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 255

SETUBANDHA
had turned yellowish brown by being whirled round their cheeks, with the leaves discoloured by the hot breath from the trunk.39
59. It bore the moon clinging to its flank, with its dark emblem, the deer, whitened by the rays of the crystal slopes. It seemed as if the lunar orb had been turned over by the impact of the waters of the great cascades falling on its back.40
60. The woods were deep blue because of the proximity of the sea, with the flowers washed by the spray, and brilliant sunshine coming into view as it spread above and around them.
61. It hore the tracks left by the elephants of the gods as they descended the slopes, with no visible sign of departure, because they flew off (after their sports); while the bees that followed far in their wake returned from the sky.41
62. Places with partly exposed sprout-like gems gleamed faintly, dispelling the darkness a little, and seemed to be covered with sparks.
63. The mountain bore traces of the elephants fighting in the woods, with the massive tusks knocked down, the trees smashed and withered, and the creepers, uncoiled and broken, lying about in heaps.
64. Stored in its vast caverns, studded with gems, "vere isolated masses of sea water, thrown up by the impact of the Mandara mountain (during the churning), that still retained the taste of nectar.42
39. The verse describes the elephants of the gods disporting themselves on the mountain, whirling with their trunk the branches of the Părijāta tree which they had brought from heaven. Cf. verse 61.
40. As the lunar spot was no longer visible, it is fancied that the cascades pouring down the mountain-side had turned over the moon, exposing the all-white back,
41. The elephants walked down the slopes of the mountain, but flew back after their sports; and the bees pursued them for some distance to partake of their ichor. Cf. verse 85 and 10.45.
42. Because the water had entered the caverns before nectar was taken out of the ocean by the gods and demons who churned it with the Mandara mountain.