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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[AUGUST, 1875.
this curse when he should in the course of his holy tour on the earth as an incarnate being, have arrived in Vastrapatha, by which circumstance, they said, the place would be holier than Prabhasa even, by as much as a barleycorn, and that his body, by some mysterious cause, would then assume vast proportions. After this incident the seven Rishis and Narada came back to Indra and informed him that Vishnu would down to the earth under the name of go Vâman, and, assuming a dwarfish form, would punish Bali. Now Vishnu became incarnate in the world assuming a small figure, and after some time, pursuing his holy tour, arrived at Vastrapatha. Having bathed in the Svarnarekha, he bethought himself, 'Shall I first go to see Somanâtha or Bhavanâtha ?' He then resolved that he would practise such severe austerities that Somanâtha himself should come to him. So he began his devotion. Some days having passed in such austerities, Somanâtha caused a chasm in the earth and came out in the form of a liiga and stood before Vâman. He desired Vâman to ask whatever he wished. Vaman, with joined palms, said, 'My lord, if you are pleased with me, be so gracious as to reside here. I further desire that a town may be founded here, to be called after my name.' Siva expressed compliance and disappeared. Vâman then set out towards the Ujiyanta, and on his way saw five persons glowing like fire. Vaman was astonished to see them, and asked who they were. One of them said in reply that he was Ekapida (the one-footed'). Another said he was Giridâruna. The third gave his name as Siñhanada ('lion's roar'). The fourth said his name was Meghanâda (thunder). The name of the fifth was Kalmegha. They declare that they were the guardians of the holy place, and that they were pleased with him. Vâman besought them to do him the favour of remaining there to guard the Kshetra. Thereupon Ekapada took his station at the foot of the mountain; Giridâruna chose the top of the mountain for his abode; Meghanâda quartered himself on the summit of the Ujiyanta; the Bhavani peak was appropriated by Siñhanâda; and Kâlmegha contented himself with the banks of the Svarnarekhâ. Vâman then worshipped these guardians of the Kshetra and ascended Ujiyanta. He beheld Bhavâni, and as he was greeting the sun he saw Śiva in the air. He thereupon praised
shipper of Vishnu and performed many sacrifices. Lions and deer, cats and dogs, peacocks and serpents, which are natural enemies of each other, lived in peace in his kingdom. One day Narada, having wandered on the earth, came to the garden in heaven which is called Naudan Vana, and not having yet seen any quarrel he was greatly afflicted. He said to himself that until he had heard the clashing of the weapons of combatants, aud until he had seen streams of blood, his soul could not be at rest. He therefore proposed to himself to bring about enmity between Indra and Bali. Accordingly he went to the court of Indra, and there, after praising Bali, he said, 'O Indra, Bali does not even care to notice you. Your celestial damsels desire to make love to him. Your wives also picture to themselves the figure of Bali and think of him night and day. He is a Daitya, and therefore an enemy of yours. You should wage war with him.' Inflamed by this speech of Narada, Indra called the commander of his forces and ordered him to hold in readiness his troops without losing time, as he said he wanted to go to chastise Raja Bali. Brihaspati, the minister of the gods, who was sitting by, advised Indra not to enter precipitately into hostilities with Bali, and, before taking any action, to consult Vishnu, who, he said, was the disposer of the affairs of the universe and who was cognizant of everything. Indra thereupon despatched the seven Rishis to the mountain of Mandira to invite Vishnu. The seven ran with haste. Nârada also followed them. On his way Narada saw some Rishis, the chief of whom was Valkhilya (whose body was as small as a man's thumb), bathing in the river which flowed by the side of the mountain of Mandarâchal. Narada bowed to them, and informing them of the mission of the seven, proposed that they should wait there to salute them, as they would be returning with Vishnu. At this instant Vishnu and the seven came up, who, seeing the small figure of Vâl khilya and the other Rishis, laughed at them. The latter got exceedingly angry and cursed Vishnu, saying, Thou shalt be also as dwarfish we are.' When Vishnu heard this he turned pale, and he and the seven begged pardon, and entreated Vâlkhilya and the others to have mercy on them. They granted pardon, and told Vishnu that he should be free from
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