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ŚRI MAHĀPADMACAKRICARITRA
ΙΟΙ
by an oblation, Vişņu said, “Nevertheless, permit us to occupy here the space of three steps.” Then Namuci said, "I give you the space of three steps, but whoever steps outside the three steps will certainly be killed.” “Very well. Give it." With these words, the muni grew tall, wearing a diadem, earrings, wreath, and carrying a bow, thunderbolt, and knife. Making the Khecaras fall like old leaves, with loud screams, shaking the earth like a lotus-leaf with stampings of his feet, raising the oceans like the wind at the end of the world, making rivers flow backwards, like a dike, overturning the circles of stars like heaps of stones, splitting the best mountains like anthills, he, very powerful, very brilliant, terrifying gods and demons, growing gradually, assuming various forms, became equal to Meru.
Seeing the disturbance of the three worlds, Sahasrākşa instructed singing goddesses to quiet him. They sang in his ear unceasingly the following, charming with the gāndhāra scale, in accordance with the teachings of the Omniscient: “From anger here men are consumed; they are often confused in regard to their own good. After death they go to hell having endless pain." The women of the Kinnaras, et cetera, sang these words and danced before Muni Vişņu to calm his anger. After throwing Namuci on the ground, the muni, the elder brother of Padma, whose feet are to be praised by the world, took a step which included the ground between the east and west oceans.
When Padma heard the news, he came in haste, trembling at his own carelessness and his minister's crime. After he had paid homage with great devotion to the great sage, his elder brother, his hands folded in submission, his feet bathed in tears, he said:
"Just today my father Padmottara is in my thoughts, O master, who are victorious, having extraordinary qualities. I have not known that the holy community is being injured by this scoundrel of a minister. No one told me. Yet I am guilty, for this wretch is my
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