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SETUBANDHA
50. Replenished by the waters surging from the bottom, the sea swelled as much as it sank under the weight of the mountains set firmly together.
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51. Earthquakes seemed to rock the heavens, making the ocean rock; while the waters of the rivers entering the sea were scattered high in the air, and the mountains tottered in their foundations.24
52. With half of the causeway emerging, and half of the mountains dropped on the sea, and half of the sea floor25 covered up,26 the waters of the ocean gave for a moment partial27 joy to the hearts of the apes.
53. When the sea was driven afar off,28 the causeway appeared to be built; 29 but when it was flooded as the sea returned, it looked as if it had been just30 begun.
54. Even the nether regions were filled by the mountains, but not the footprints of the Great Boar,31 which pervaded the ocean, and impeded the movements of the irate elephants of the quarters.32
55. Churned up by the mountains, the waters of the sea, which assumed the colour of the young shoots of plants33 by dashing against the slopes of the mountains rich in minerals, and were astringent to the taste and fragrant in contact with the broken trees, seemed to be producing wine (as in days of old).34
56. Whilst the sea rocked the mountains standing apart in the causeway, it became compact as the peaks crumbled and filled up the gaps.
24. The verse describes the convulsions of nature that took place when the mountains were cast into the sea.
25. Lit. the nether regions.
26. i.e., by the mountains. Lit. removed, or eclipsed.
27. Because the causeway was not yet complete.
28. i.e., by the falling mountains.
29. i.e., the portion built was clearly visible. 30. Lit. slightly.
31. The Boar incarnation of Visņu. See 5.44.
32. Supposed to hold up the earth.
33. i.e., were coloured red.
34. Wine was one of the objects produced by the churning of the ocean. See verse 15.
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