"Wending righteous ways all these kings are multiplying their territories. Amongst men the three other Varna are following the Brāhmanas (28). All the words are truthful, all the Varnas are observing their respective duties, all the Brāhmanas are studying the Vedas and all other men are devoted to Brāhmanas (29). Thus exist men in the world who are the instruments of righteousness. Let such practices be observed by which virtue may not suffer deterioration (30). This earth is the goal of the pious and none else. Virtue is the most excellent object they should endeavour to secure. Therefore to relieve the earth of her burden it is meet to destroy the kings. Therefore, O great one, come with us to hold a consultation. With the earth before us let us go to the summit of the mount Meru (31–32)." Having said this, O foremost of kings, the self-controlled Grand Father of all, Brahmā, of great effulgence, began to take rest with the earth (33). ¹⁷⁵ The six acts of a king, in his military character, are peace, war, marching, halting, sowing dissension and seeking protection. CHAPTER LII. THE ASSEMBLY OF THE GODS. Vaishampayana said:—Saying ’so be it’ the Lord, having the hue of a cloud and voice like its muttering in an unfair day, went away with the gods like a mountain covered with clouds (1). At that time Hari, having a dark-blue person, put on shining matted locks crested with jems and pearls like a cloud with the moon (2). On his spacious breast, the hairs whereof stood erect, there was the mystic mark of Srivatsa (3). Wearing two pieces of yellow raiment that eternal Hari, the preceptor of the world, looked like a mountain covered with evening clouds (4). When he began to proceed on the back of Garuda the Lotus-born Deity (Brahmā) and the gods, having their eyes fixed on him, began to follow him (5). Having reached the jewelled mountain in no time they saw the assembly hall built after their own hearts (6). It was built on the summit of the mount Sumeru, and was effulgent like the sun. Its pillars were made of gold and its gateways were crested with diamonds. It contained diverse paintings on account of its being constructed by the mind and hundreds of cars. Its windows were covered with the jewelled nets. It could go any where at will and was embellished with jems. It was filled with many sorts of jewels and flowers made of various metals. That celestial assembly hall, filled with celestial illusion, was constructed by Viswakarmān¹⁷⁶ (7–9). All the gods, with delighted minds, sat duly on the seats properly assigned to each of them, in that auspicious assembly hall (10). They sat on cars, seats, Bhadrāsanas,¹⁷⁷ Pithas,¹⁷⁸ and seats of Kutha¹⁷⁹ (11). Thereupon at the command of Brahmā, the wind Prabhanjana began to patrol on all sides of the assembly hall so that there might not arise any sound (12). When everything was silent and calm in that assembly of the gods the Earth plaintively began to address them in piteous accounts (13).