"O Vishnu, when thou shalt come down on earth, Kansa will not be able to reign and the object, for which the earth has come, will also be accomplished (85). Thou art the preceptor of all works in the land of Bharata, thou art the eye of all and the supreme refuge. Therefore, O Hrishikesha do thou come on earth and slay those wicked Dānavas (86)". ¹⁸⁰ Dharma’s incarnation was Yudhishthira, Sakra’s was Arjuna and Pavana’s was Bhimasena. The two Aswinis incarnated themselves as Nakula and Sahadeva. The sun incarnated himself as Karna, the priest of the gods Vrihaspati as Drona, the eighth Vasu as Bhishma, death as Vidura, Kali as Duryodhana, Soma as Abhimanyu, Sukra as Bhurisrava, Varuna as Srutayudha, Sankara as Ashwathama, Mitra as Kanika, Kuvera as Dhritarashtra. The Gandharva and others incarnated themselves as Ugrasena, Dushasana and others. ¹⁸¹ A stringed musical instrument. ¹⁸² A vessel to carry water. ¹⁸³ The art of music. This was the special gift of the Gandharvas. ¹⁸⁴ The usual practice is that at the time of installation sacred water is sprinkled on the head of a king. The meaning is that who has gone through the ceremony of installation. ¹⁸⁵ Properly speaking they were not monkeys but a barbarous race living in a province of the Southern India. CHAPTER L.V. VISHNU’S REPLY. Vaishampayana said:—Hearing the words of Nārada the Lord Madhusudana, the master of gods, smilingly said in auspicious words (1):—"O Nārada, listen to a proper reply to all these words which you have addressed to me for the well-being of the three worlds (2). It is known to me that all these Dānavas, assuming human forms, have been born on earth (3). I know too that Kansa is born as the son of Ugrasena on earth. I know also that Keshi is born as a horse (4). I know also the elephant Kuvalayapida, the wrestlers Chānura and Mushthika and the demon Arishtha in the shape of a bull (5). Khara and the great Asura Pralamva are also known to me. Bali’s daughter Putanā is also well known to me (6). I know also Kāliya who is living in the lake of Yamunā and who has entered there in fear of Vinatā’s son¹⁸⁶ (7). I know also Jarāsandha who is the head of all kings; and the demon Naraka, who is living in the city of Prāgyotish, is also very well-known to me (8). In the city of Shonitpura on earth Bāna is born as a man. That energetic and haughty demon, of thousand arms, is invincible even unto the gods. I know also that the great charge of Bhāratvarsa lies with me (9-10). I know also how all these kings will disappear. The destruction of those danavas, in human forms, who never come back from battle-field and the rejoicing of the region of Sakra has also been seen by me (11). For myself and for others I shall enter into Yoga. Going to the region of men and assuming a human form I shall bring about the destruction of all those mighty demons headed by Kansa.