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high places, and makes the mountains disappear. Going into the house, etc., is a remedy for wind, water is a remedy for fire, but there is none for the ocean when it has set out.'
To the king looking at the Brahman saying this, water appeared at a distance on all sides, like the water of a mirage. All, miserable, looking at it, saw the universe destroyed by water, like a fearless man by a fight at night, with lamentations of 'Oh! Oh!' Then the Brahman, standing before the king and pointing with his finger at the increasing flood, spoke maliciously:
CHAPTER SIX
'Sir, see all these mountains on the border. They are covered by the waters of the ocean like darkness. I think, all the forests are rooted up by the waters, since these trees are seen floating, like a crowd of crocodiles. Now this ocean-water submerges completely villages, mines, cities, etc. Alas for destiny! Now the gardens in the vicinity of the city are oppressed by the ocean-waters unchecked, like the virtuous by slanderers. O king, now the ocean-water, roaring, strikes aloud against the circular wall like a basin at the foot of a tree. This wall is leaped over quickly by the water rushing on, like a horse by a horseman too swift from haste. Look! all the city with its palaces and houses is filled like a tank with the ocean's cruel waves. That water, Your Majesty, is rushing at the door of your house now, springing up like an army of horses, roaring, violent. Now this palace of yours appears like an island, O king, surviving the submerged city. Now the water unhindered mounts the flights of stairs like a royal attendant arrogant from favor. The first story has been filled, and now the second is being filled. Having filled it, the third story also is being filled by the water. The fourth, fifth, and sixth stories, while you look on, have been filled by the ocean-waters in half a minute, indeed! The top-story of the house, like the head of the body, remains, being penetrated by the waters like the effects of poison. The end of the world which I predicted is present. Where
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