The Sanskrit Epics, page 958
71. He beheld on the shore the trees, as it were, his own forms multiplied,-trees which were possessed of [Sanskrit Text] [ ( 1 ) beauty; ( 2 ) Lakshmî, wife of Krishna], which had their abode on the shore of the ocean, and which were dark-coloured like clouds, and united with [ ( 1 ) creepers as their wives; ( 2 ) creeper-like wives ].
72. He suspected the husband of rivers ( the ocean ) who touched the land, who roared loudly, whose high waves had the appearance of trembling hands, and who threw out foam, to be a person suffering from epilepsy, who lies on the ground, who cries out loudly, who throws up his hands, and who gives out froth his mouth.
73 On the shore, he observed rows of pearls which were, as it were, the rays of the moon thrown out by the ocean, as they, swelled as he was, could not be contained within himself after having been drunk through exceeding greediness.
74. He saw clouds quietly drinking the waters of the ocean from one part thereof, — clouds, who would moisten ( flood ) the earth on all sides, continually roaring in haughtiness, 75. He saw rivers, which had been made of the water taken from ( the ocean ) itself, falling into the ocean, as if they were the Smritis which enter the Veda, laid down as they have been after their import is taken up from ( Veda ) itself.
76. He hailed with joy the sea-faring merchants of the island who were putting the indigenous valuable merchandise into vessels — merchants who made the best ‘profits by selling the valuable articles of various quarters ( of the globe ).
77 The serpents, who were desirous of leaping out of the ocean (lit lord of rivers), threw, out of devotion, the waters high up ( into the air ) by means of the winds of their breaths, as if they were the banners of Garuda-bannered God ( i.e.., Vishnu ).
78. The ocean, seeing him come-him who was his friend in adversity, and who used to lie on the bed of his lap,-as it were, went forward to meet him, with his arms in the form of high waves, spread out in great joy.
79. The sea-breeze, wafting sprays of water and fragrant by contact with the cardamum creepers, wiped off ( removed ) the drops of perspiration of Krishna, as he was going along the shore.
80. The soldiers (then) reached the regions of morasses of the briny ocean, the Ketatî plants in which were parted ( like hair ) by the wind arising in the groves of high palm-trees.
81. They (i.e., the soldiers), who had decked themselves with garlands of clove-blossoms, who drank the water in the cocoanuts, and who ate green batel-nuts, received thus from the sea a hospitable entertainment.
82. At that time, great was the distance ( also, difference) between the army of Krishna (lit the younger brother of Balarama) that was marching on,-army, which was full of hundreds of horses on all sides, which, on every way, trampled down [Sanskrit Text][ ( 1 ) kings, as well as ( 2 ) mountains ], and which always had [Sanskrit Text] ( Lakshmî as well as beauty ) with it, and the ocean who gave birth only to one horse, who was ( himself) very much churned by the ( i.e.. Mount Mandara ), and who was for a long time deprived of (Lakshmî, who sprang from the ocean as one of the fourteen jewels churned out of it ).
Canto IV.
1. HE BEHELD the Raivataka mountain, the many-lined minerals of which were imbedded with sapphires, and which, therefore, was, as it were, the vapour of the hissing of serpents, bursting from the ground and rising along with the radiance of jewels, after having broken open the ground, 2. Which was, as it were, playing the part of Vindbya, by reason of the assemblages, just above the high rocks, of clouds which were rising perpetually on all sides, as it were, to obstruct the path of the sun, 3. Which was covered with the refulgence of jewels having fresh collections of rays — refulgence, spreading over the golden peak ( of the mountain ), which was lovely on account of the dark-blue hue of the stones, and which was overspread with creepers that invited bees, 4. Which, standing as it did, having filled the sky with its thousand [Sanskrit Text] ( peaks ) and the earth, with its-thousand [Sanskrit Text] ( hills at its foot ), and having the sun and the moon — (in that part of it, which would serve for its eyes ), was, as it were, Hiranyagarbha ( Brahmâ ), who stands pervading the sky with his thousands [Sanskrit Text] ( heads ) and the earth, with his thousand [Sanskrit Text] (feet), and having the sun and the moon — ( for his eyes ), 5. Which, bearing as it did the clouds, which were white on account of the absence of water, and ( thus ) having the colour like that of a washed upper-garment, appeared like S’iva ( lit the enemy of Cupid ), having the Bhasman ( ashes on his body ) divided by the union of the body of Umâ ( Pârvatî ), 6. Which cast a ( great ) shade with umbrellas in the form of lotuses with the petals spread out, which were, as it were, the ruffled feathers of birds who were absorbed in the endearing words of their wives, and who were a little unsteady and languid on account of ardent passion, 7. Which bore many trees which, with splendid peacocks perched on their branches, with their bodies covered with big serpents, and with their hands in the-form of the numerous creepers dancing ( in the air ), were, as it were, ( so ) many Rudras, with their bright blue necks lying on their shoulders, with their bodies covered with big serpents, and with their creeper-like hands dancing ( i.e.., tossing in the air ), 8. Which had pellucid and moss-grown waters, which resembled the excellent cheeks (of a woman), white as they were with the pollen of Lodhra flowers, the hanging blue lotuses as they had for their ear-ornaments, and wearing as they did the beauty of sands adorned with new soft grass, 9. On which, the fickle bees were fascinated by beds, of lotuses, which took away heat with its groves of trees, and which bore the celestial damsels with lovely ringlets of hair, without their being thrown into consternation by demons (on the mountain, celestial damsels with lovely ringlets were never thrown into constenation by demons ).
10. The glories of height and beauty of the mountain, — the mountain, which had been enlarged by the gods for the delight of Krishna with the peaks of Sumeru brought by them,-will never be regarded as false descriptions by poets unrestrained in language (i.e.., indulging in poetical exaggeration ), 11. From which (mountain), as from a wealthy merchant, people constantly took immense quantities of the most costly and radiant jewels hoarded up in the great and numerous peaks ( also in full and many Prasthas ), 12. On the slope of which, the swarm ( lit, line, row) of bees, which drank to the full flower-juice (honey), with the lotuses bending under them, and which ( therefore ) were intoxicated, did not feel fatigued, for it ( the slope ) was, as it were, a receptacle of lotuses, though it was exposed to ( lit bore ) terrible heat, 13. On which, the huge, dislodged rock of silver, with a high tree growing on it — tree which had its thousand fully-opened flowers looking like so many eyes — , displayed the beauty of (or had the appearance of) Airâvata with the Thousand-Eyed One ( Indra ) seated on it, 14. Where, the horses of the sun, whose colour was changed by Aruna ( lit the elder brother of Garuda ) into ruddy ( the colour of Aruna ), were restored to their own colour by the jewels ( of the mountain ), dark-green like the sprouts of the bamboo, by means of their lustre Hashing all around, 15. Where, the calamity arising from the fire of poison did not befall the forest of trees which were not free from serpents, inasmuch as it was well moistened with waters constantly poured down by the rising clouds, 16. Which substantiated, by means of (the illustration, viz: ) its sunstones emitting fiery lustre at the touch of the sun’s rays, the truth that it is from the excellence of the material that the good qualities, that are imparted to it, acquire higher excellence ( are sublimated ).
17. The mountain, though viewed again and again by Krishna, filled him with (fresh) wonder. That alone is the essence of beauty that it should appear new every moment ( i.e.., that alone is real beauty which appears new every moment ).
18. The charioteer, who knew well how to speak (lit to utter words), observing Krishna (ht the descendent of S’ûra ) with his neck uplifted, eager to view that mountain having its high slopes full of birds that were crying aloud, spoke thus, 19. “Who, on this earth, will not be filled with wonder to see this [ (1) the best of mountains, i.e..[Sanskrit Text]
( 2 ) the lord of mount Kailââsa i.e., [Sanskrit Text] ], who is [ ( 1 ) who has covered the vast quarters and the sky, i.e.., — (2) who is clad in an extensive garment in the form of space i.e. who ( i.e.., [Sanskrit Text]) stands occupying on high the earth and whose peaks are lofty and extensive [ also, who ( i.e.., [Sanskrit Text]) is seated on a tall bullock, having pointed and large horns], and who has on his summit the bright rays of the moon [ also, who, i. e., [Sanskrit Text], has on his head the shining digit of the moon ].
20— “With the sun with his string-like rays spread upwards rising ( on one side ), and the moon setting ( on the other ), this mountain resembles ( lit displays the beauty of ) a stately elephant begirt by a pair of bells hanging ( on either side of his body ).
21. “This mountain, who, with his beaming rays, has grassy plots of gold all around, appears beautiful like your honour, ( i.e.. resembles you ), who wears a new garment as yellow as the orpiment.
22. “Those that sit here on the summits see the hinder part of the moon (lit., having the deer in her lap ), which is spotless (and therefore) has its collection of rays all the more compact, and which has completely ( in every respect ) attained resemblance to the face of a woman.
23. “Here, mountain-torrents, having, like men (in the — stage of life ), thrown themselves from the lofty cliffs down on the tops of rocks (below) and split ( or broken ) into thin particles, rise to the sky ( ascend to heaven ) and give supreme pleasure to the bodies of the love-smitten celestial damsels.
24. “Here, in some places, the clouds who have silenced the piteous cries of the chatakas, and who have likened brilliant gold to (their) lightnings, cover those yonder spots, while in others, these rays of the sun, flashing out beautiful gold, make them reddish-brown.
25. “Evidently, the sky (itself) held up mostly by the heads ( i.e.., peaks of this mountain ) which have for their support the raised hands (i.e.., the rays) of the moon, and which have propped themselves on the stars, is falling all around on the slopes of this ( mountain ) under the credible title of the water of the mountain-torrents.
26. “Here, rivers, that have their waters, in one place, mingled with the rays of the crystal bank ( i.e., white ), and in another, blended with the radiance of sapphires, assume the beauty of the Ganges ( lit., the river of the gods ), heightened by the waters of Yamuna ( lit., the daughter of Kalinda ) flowing into her.
27. “On this (mountain), whose peaks are like those of Meru, there gleam here and there the brilliant hues of jewelled ridges, while damsels, as lovely as (lit., equal in loveliness to ) celestial beauties and full of love towards their husbands whose love is new, are sporting here and there.
28. “Here, that (yonder) lofty wall of silver, as white as thick white-wash ( or Ambrosia ), and adorned with a lino of gold, attains the beauty of the forehead of S’îva ( lit, the enemy of Cupid ) whitened with ashes, — forehead, adorned’ with his flaming eye ( lit., having the flaming eye for its adornment ).
29. “This (mountain) bears (i.e.., has) slopes that are very hard ( also, old ) and exceedingly large ( also, exceedingly heavy on account of fatness), that are covered with large and hanging clouds ( also, who are impeded by large and hanging breasts ), that are always inaccessible to living beings ( whose ) bodies are always unfit to be approached ( for cohabitation ), and that have on them the elephants of the quarters who give side-blows with their tusks (also, who have the marks of bites and wounds by finger-nails turned into scars. ).
30. “Here, lo! on the golden slope of a hue like that of fire, these trees, bearing a swarm of bees settled on their blossoms and thus darkened, assume the appearance, of smoke.
31. “On account of this (mountain), who has attained the beauty of the ridge of Sûmeru by displaying his sky-touching walls of gold which nave the tawny lustre of the Champatka conspicuous by its full-blown flowers, the Bháratavarsha appears like Ilâvrita.
32. “This (mountain), with its herds of Priyaka deer that have shining and variegated hair, moving all around, appears, as it were, to have in them his own limbs ( parts ) full of various jewels, only become moveable.
33. “Here, young elephants, living in lakes, sport in joy with full blown lotuses, while groups of Siddhas sing loudly to their wives in melodious and impassioned tones.
34. “Here the great herbs take into their charge the wives of the Sun ( lit., Lord of Splendours ) and do not let them be obscured ( also, disturbed ) by others, when he is, by the decree of fate, overtaken by darkness (also, misfortune), and look forward to the time ( ofre-union ) when it would pass off ( lit., by its passing away).
35. “Here creepers, with their sprout-like hands resting on the branches ( also, shoulders ) of trees, and with their flowers covered with swarms of bees ( which are ) like eyes, as it were, having ( lit., endowed with ) pupils ( or collyrium ), appear like young women.
36. “On this (mountain), redolent of Kadamba flowers, the birds every moment utter notes with various pauses, and this wind, which shakes the forests of Kadambas, comes here near us, constantly whirling the clouds.
37. “This (mountain) holds (i.e.. contains) a collection of treasure-troves, the wealth in which is hidden, which has been discovered with great difficulty by learned men versed in the science, but which is difficult to get at by others whose minds are not firm in belief, though they have learnt of it (i.e.., of the discovery), and which is powerful enough to remove all miseries, just as an eminent Brahman is possessed of a collection of Mantras ( spells ) which have a secret meaning, which, even after being head expounded with great difficulty by men learned in the Tantras, are difficult to be learnt by others whose minds have not settled convictions, and which is potent enough to destroy all sins.
38. “Here, the Turangavaktra thinks highly of the Kinara ( while the latter is ) kissing the cherry-lipped mouth of his beloved; the latter, on the other hand, admires him ( while he is ) embracing his wife, whose waist is ( as it were ) afraid of breaking down under the weight of her protruding ( plump ) breasts.
39. “What creepers are not fully in blossom in this forest of vast extent,-forest which has concealed the rays of the sun and which shines, on the slopes of this mountain, with its far-spreading Tamala and Tâla ( palm ) trees?
40. “On this mountain, women, charming with their girdles of brilliant gems (also, charming with ridges of brilliant stones ) and having large buttocks ( also, having big precipices ) and full and delicate cheeks ( also, large and smooth rocks ), make a residence worthy of themselves on the table-lands which are lovely with bowers ( also, lovely with their teeth ) and whose peaks are variegated with excellent jewels ( also, whose bracelets are brilliant with excellent jewels ).
41. Here, the white ground of silver, with fragments of diamonds loosely scattered on it, bears complete resemblanco to water just poured down by the cloud and having numerous bubbles that remain on it for a long time.
42. “This ( mountain ) is resorted to by many a woman who, with her body afflicted with love and with the corners of her eye down-cast, shuns the company of men and thinks of the happiness of a union with her lover.
43. “On this ( mountain ), Chamaris ( female Chamara deer ), being frightened at the loss of one hair dropped in the forest of Kichaka bamboos entangled with one another, are not able to move on, as it were, on account of the pleasure they feel in hearing ( sweet ) notes issuing from their ( i.e.. of Kîchakas ) interiors containing the soft breath ( of the wind ).
“.— “Here water, white as pearls and ( therefore ) looting like milk, poured by clouds into wells having rocks of Mahání’a sapphire lying in them, and instantly mingled with the rays ( of the sapphire-rocks ) dark as a knife, attains the transparent hue of the juice of indigo leaves.
45. “A woman, who, superior to all other women for a meeting as she is, would not go to meet her lover who was seeking her, — that same woman, when here ( on this mountain ), has a longing for intercourse in secret with that lover, her anger not lasting long.
46. “Here, inasmuch as the rays of the moon are multiplied thousand-fold, being blended with the multiform rays of jewels, the lotus-plants, thinking him ( the moon ) to he verily the sun, have all their lotuses fully opened even at night.
47. “This ( mountain ) is, as it were, crying, out of affection, with the pitious screams of birds over his daughters, the rivers, who, used to roll fearlessly on this lap, are ( now ) going before him to meet their husband.
48. “The flank of this mountain, bearing rows of trees kissed by paramours in the form of bees and bending under ( their ) boughs, shines with a tawny hue on account of the dropping pollen of creepers which have become tawny by ripening ( complete development ).
49. “Here this water, falling from the uplands on to the lowlands, and having the beauty of the decorated long trunk of a large elephant, looks, being tinted with rays of various jewels, as lovely as a rainbow turned upward.
50. “These locks of hair in the form of peaks of this mountain, as it were, wear for a moment crest-garlands in the form of peacocks — garlands, which are decked with chaplets in the form of their large and hanging feathers, and which (thus) appear to be woven with the variegated opening flowers of the desire-yielding tree.
51. “The best voluptuaries, who resemble the gods coming from Heaven and whose eyes are like bright red lotuses, do not fail to passionately enjoy, on this ( mountain ), their new sexual intercourse with their wives.
52. “Having covered himself, with a large piece of cloth in the form of flowers, this mountain is, as it were, incensing his limbs with the masses of new clouds, which roll inside ( the garment ), which have the colour of the neck of a pigeon, and which bear the appearance of the fumes of Aguru.
53. “On this (mountain), pictorial decoration, painted without any ground in the sky with the variegated rays rising from flawless new jewels lovely on account of or blending with one another, fills the aerial spirits with, wonder.
