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SETUBANDHA
11
7. It bore the vast submarine fire, clinging to its bosom, that consumed its waters at the epoch of destruction, being stirred by the winds sweeping back and forth, as if it were a massive spear, embedded in the body, and shaken by the recurrent breathings, that destroyed life at the end.
8. It seemed to be teasing the Earth by touching and withdrawing (by turns), while she, released after being embraced by the flood-tide,5 shook her hands, the woods (on the shore); with her breasts, the Malaya and the Mahendra mountain, refreshed by sea spray.
9. It had ample room in its appointed place, because it kept within bounds, but had not enough space even on the entire earth during the deluge. It was like Visnu that assumed the form of a suppliant dwarf, but (later) filled the universe with the bulk of his striding figure.?
10. It gave delight as one beheld it. One had to listen eagerly to the recital of its virtues, even though one heard about it (often). Although its gifts were enjoyed (in profusion), it (freely) yielded its products that brought abiding joy; just as the fruit of one's religious merit, although enjoyed in this life), conferred everlasting bliss.
11. It was like a mountain with its (best) tree uprooted. Abandoned by the goddess of wealth, it was like a lotus pool with the flowers blasted by frost. It was like a wine-bowl, emptied of the wine. Bereft of the young moon, it was like an evening of the dark half of the month.
12. It had masses of jewels, lying in the depth of it's limpid waters, that, with their pleasant lustre clearly visible, seemed to
5. Cf. Kulanātha in Extracts.
6. Lit. delighted at the drenching of her bosom that had the Malaya and the Mahendra for breasts. The earth is fancied as a nāyikā, and the sea as a nāyaka; and the ebb and flow of the sea as a series of embraces and withdrawals.
7. A reference to the three great strides of the Dwarf incarnation of Vişnu.
8. The Parijäta tree, the goddess of wealth, wine and the moon were taken cut of the ccean during the churning.
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