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60
SETUBANDHA
87. The large streams, stretching across the mountains72 while they were speedily rushed through the air, seemed to flow in the
lengthening in their course, with the clouds that joined them for a moment serving as their banks,
88. As the mountains came into contact with each other in the sky, the mountain-high wild elephants were locked in each other's tusks,73 and rocked when the mountains were rocked by the apes, and did not part even when the mountains parted.
89. The faces of the Regions of the sky, with the quivering clouds, (maidens as it were with heaving bosoms), with tiny portions seen through the gaps between the mountains,74 seemed to be covered75 with the fragrant pollen of the flowers (of the mountain trees) inhaled by them.76
90. As the peaks crumbled owing to the speed of the flight, the mountains, held up by the apes with one hand, were steadied by them with the other hand; while the serpents quivered, pierced by their nails.
91. Falling off the summit of the mountains carried by the apes as they rushed through the sky, the large streams became for a moment cascades on the succeeding mountains.77
92. They carried the mountains along, with the trees uprooted by the speed; the clouds resembling the massive flanks parting asunder; and the elephants, oppressed with the intense heat of the sun, crouching within the caves.
93. Covered by the peaks of the mountains carried by the vehemently rushing apes, the summit of the Malaya mountain, cut
of the
Serpen aand
72. i.e., the chain of mountains closely following each other, as described in verse 85. See Krşņa in Extracts.
73. i.e., in the course of the aerial journey the elephants of one mountain charged those of another, interlocking their tusks.
74. Means also: with the slender waist seen through the gaps.... 75. Means also: seemed to have the eyes closed on account of...
76. The imagery is that of women closing their eyes as they inhale the sweet scent of flowers.
77. i.e, poured down on the mountains that followed close behind.
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