________________
SETUBANDHA
59
79. The earth, trampled and abandoned by the apes, became level again when the cavities left by the mountains were filled by the united streams,68 and the rugged masses of earth that had gone up (with the mountains) broke away and returned to the site.
80. While the mountains, their abode, were carried away, the hinds 'started to run, but turned back, distraught with fear; and the woods were beautiful as they turned round and looked up in bewilderment for a while.
81. When the mountains were uprooted, their rivers were cut off from their source. While they were lifted up, they poured straight down. While they were carried away, they rushed close behind them in a lengthening stream.69
82. Powerful as the clouds of the epoch of destruction, the mountains pervaded the sky, with the herds of deer looking skyward, the birds hidden in the caves, and the Sun's steeds travelling across the peaks.
83. The apes returned to the sea), with the mountains fixed on their shoulders, the peaks supported with the upraised right hand, and the broad flanks held up with the upturned left hand,
84. How was it that the sky that was not spacious enough for the apes, when at the outset of their journey70, they rushed forth empty-handed, now had enough space for them as well as the mountains?
85. The apes carried the mountains along, with their basic portions simultaneously uprooted and lifted, and coming into contact with each other; and the outlets of the streams obliterated by the friction of each other's towering peaks.71
86. Oppressed with the weight of the mountains, the apes passed on, having watched for a long while the ocean-like cavities left by the massive mountains, erewhile uprooted (by themselves).
68. i.e., the streams pouring down from the mountains when they were carried aloft.
69. i.e., the falling streams seemed to stretch behind the mountains as they sped through the air.
70. i.e., the initial flight to uproot the mountains.
71. The imagery is that of a compact procession of mountains rushing through the air with the outlets of the streams blocked up.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
