________________
MARCH, 1897.] SPECIMENS OF MODERN BRAHMANICAL LEGENDS.
73
The city, being built by Suda, got the name of Sunda,13 Residing in the beautiful and great13 city, in which there were people of various kinds, the Daitya chief took the whole country into his own possession. After a timels his Guru also came to the city named Sanda. Suda, on beholding the arrival of his Guru, became fali of delight, and worshipping him as he deserved, he, with his hands folded, spoke to Kavi.
Sada said: - O Gara, through your kindness the earth with its oceans bas been obtained by me. This city also is a good one, and is the residence of the army of the Daityas. Now please advise me how to obtain (the sovereignty of) heaven.'
Hearing these words of Sada, and considering them in his mind), Kavi spoke :-O chief of the Daityas, hear my speech. The gods are very powerful. They possess all sorts of weapons. They are brave and cannot be conquered by Daityas and Dânavas. O child, I will make a plan for you to get a son. Let your wife eat a ball filled with the spells of generation. Thereby she will become pregnant and give birth to a son. Svarga will be conquered by him, beside him no one is able.'
So saying Sukra gave a ball consecrated by mantrus to her.16 She with delight and · devotion took the ball and ate it. "Sukra then returned to his own place, and some time afterwards she gave birth to twins.? As soon as these powerful ones were born they terrified the world is with their noise. The whole earth trembled, the tops of the hills fell down, and the whole assembly of gods were troubled in their hearts and minds. He (the father) was delighted on seeing the two infants possessing such terrible forms. Suda, with his heart full of delight, assigned names (to them). This one is to be called Madhu, the other Kaitabha.19 Seeing the two infants he nourished them with delight, and they - growing day by day – became very cruel and powerful. Once Kavi came, lifted the two boys, who had fallen at bis feet, placed them on his lap and told them their old20 history.
O boys, listen to my counsel, The Lord Siva is Master of the whole world. At no time should treachery against 'Siva be even thought of in the mind. Your hearts should always be attached to Siva. They should always be bent upon meditating upon 'Siva and upon worshipping Sira. You should with diligencel erecta linga. If you follow my advice of to-day you will become powerful.'
So saying Sukra went away. They both of them on an auspicious day erected two lingas on the banks of the Varada in Vanavasi, and they there performed worship with great delight and pomp. When some time33 had passed in this way, the two powerful ones, Madhu and Kaitabha, determined to attempt the conqnest of Svarga with the assistance of the Daityas and Dänavas. O Munis, they, with many brave men, carrying many kinds of weapons, blocked the door of the heavenly23 city.24 They broke down the large panels; they cut down the Kalpa) treos; they killed a multitude of gods (many gods), and they went to the banks of the Mandakin 126 in order to bathe and wash the blood off their polluted bodies. Then the assembly of the gods consulted many times with Indra, and coming to the conclusion that they were invincible, cruel, powerful and evil-bearted, they - in company with Indra - left Svarga and ran away and came to a cave called Mairavi. Some remained there, others ran still further, being frightened. O Brahmaņs, on seeing the multitude of gods run away thus,
13 Sonda (?).
13 Or best.
16 Lit., earth. 16 Or, once upon a time.
18 L e., Suda's wife. 11 Twin sons: the masculine form ubhan is used in the text.
10. Or everybody. 19 Apparently Madhu and Kaitabha, the demons who aprang from the ear of Vishnu, when he was sleeping the sloop of contemplation (yiganidri). See further on in this mahatmya. 24 Or former.
21 Or zeal.. 12 Lit., many days.
» I. e., Amaravatt: Indra's capital. » I. e., blockaded or besieged it.
75 Or desire-granting. * The celestial Ganges: the milky way.
17 Or over and over again. * I. e., their assailants.
