burning yellow raiment and was bedecked with gold. It appeared as if a body, enveloped with the darkness of smoke, arose like the fire of dissolution (22). His shoulders had grown eightfold, his heads were covered with head-gears and his fists were adorned with golden weapons (23). His hand was delighted with a sword by name Nandaka which was immoveable like a mountain stricken with the rays of the sun and the moon and which was tied to a waist-cloth of the hue of Menas stone. The arrows were like the serpents (24). He held mace, thunderbolt, a ploughshare, a conch, a discus and a club in his hands. Vishnu was like a mountain of which the base was forgiveness and the tree was Sree. He held the Sranga bow in his hand. He was seated on a car to which were yoked yellow-hued horses, on which were hoisted flags having the emblem of Garuda painted on them, which had the effulgence of the moon, had beautiful wheels, of which Mandara mountain was the axle, and the serpent Ananta was the rein. It had Meru and Kuvera on it, was filled with stars and planets and adorned with variegated flowers. That lord of gods, who always gives protection, was seen seated in the sky on an effulgent celestial car by the gods defeated by the Daityas at a time when they were stricken with fear (25–28). All the gods, headed by Indra, at first sent up a shout of exclamation and then sought refuge with the lord to whom all resort for shelter (29). Hearing this loud exclamation the kind Deity Vishnu made up his mind for destroying the gods in that great encounter (30). Stationed in the pure sky, Vishnu, that foremost of gods, promised to the celestials, saying, "O ye Maruts, may you fare well, do not fear. Be at ease. I have defeated the Dānavas. Do ye take back the three worlds." Thus welcomed by the words of the truthful Hari the gods attained to that supreme delight which they enjoyed when they obtained ambrosia out of the ocean (31–33). Thereupon the darkness was removed and the cranes emitted cries. Auspicious winds blew and the ten directions were cleared up. Shinning stars began to circumambulate the moon, and other luminous bodies began to move round the sun. The planets did not oppose one another and all the rivers grew delightful. Etherial and celestial roads appeared beautiful (34–36). The rivers began to flow quietly and the oceans did not suffer any agitation. The internal organs of men worked well (37). The great saints were shorn of grief and began to chant the Vedic hymns. Hearing the promise of the Lord that he would slay all the enemies in battle the fire began to eat sweet and nourishing oblations. Sacrifices were duly undertaken and the minds of men were delighted (38–36).