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CHAPTER FIVE
be sure. But, though deep as Pātāla, it does not look right without water, like a man's figure void of intelligence, though large. Furthermore, it will become filled with dust. For even a ditch becomes high ground in course of time. So this must certainly be filled up with a large quantity of water and that can not be done without the high-waved Gargā."
When his brothers had said, “Very well,” Jahnu took the infallible staff-jewel, like another staff of Yama. Jahnu split the bank of the Gangā, like Vajrin the slope of a big mountain with the thunderbolt. Then the Gangā advanced by the path of the cut made by the staff. Water, like an honest man, goes where it is led. The Gangā arrived at Mt. Aşță pada's moat like the ocean, with high waves like mountain-peaks thrown up, with the noise of beating against the bank like a drum beaten hard, making the fissure made by the staff twice as wide by the rush of her water. She began to fill completely the moat a thousand yojanas deep, terrifying as Pātāla. Beginning from the time the Gangā was brought by Jahnu to fill the moat of Mt. Aștāpada, she was called Jāhnavi.
Second disturbance of the Nāgas (168–173) After it had filled the moat, the water entered the houses of the Nāgas through many crevices like watermachines. The Nāgas, their houses being filled with water like caves, hissing on all sides, confused, trembled. When he saw the disturbance of the Nāga-people, the Nāga-king became angry again, having a terrible appearance like an elephant touched by a goad. He said, “The sons of Sagara, insolent from their father's power, are not suitable for conciliation, but rather deserve punishment like asses. One crime, namely, the destruction of the houses, was pardoned. Since I did not inflict any punishment, they have offended again. - I shall inflict punishment on them, like a guard on slaves, look you!”
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