MÁTALI.--We journey in the path of Parivaha; The wind that bears along the triple Ganges, And causes Ursa's seven stars to roll In their appointed orbits, scattering Their several rays with equal distribution. 'Tis the same path that once was sanctified By the divine impression of the foot Of Vishnu, when, to conquer haughty Bali, He spanned the heavens in his second stride. KING.--This is the reason, I suppose, that a sensation of calm repose pervades all my senses. [_Looking down at the wheels._] Ah! Mátali, we are descending towards the earth's atmosphere. MÁTALI.--What makes you think so? KING.--The car itself instructs me; we are moving O'er pregnant clouds, surcharged with rain; below us I see the moisture-loving Chátakas In sportive flight dart through the spokes; the steeds Of Indra glisten with the lightning's flash; And a thick mist bedews the circling wheels. MÁTALI.--You are right; in a little while the chariot will touch the ground, and you will be in your own dominions. KING [_looking down_],--How wonderful is the appearance of the earth as we rapidly descend! Stupendous prospect! yonder lofty hills Do suddenly uprear their towering heads Amid the plain, while from beneath their crests The ground receding sinks; the trees, whose stems Seemed lately hid within their leafy tresses, Rise into elevation, and display Their branching shoulders; yonder streams, whose waters, Like silver threads, but now were scarcely seen, Grow into mighty rivers; lo! the earth Seems upward hurled by some gigantic power. MÁTALI.--Well described! [_Looking with awe._] Grand, indeed, and lovely is the spectacle presented by the earth. KING.--Tell me, Mátali, what is that range of mountains which, like a bank of clouds illumined by the setting sun, pours down a stream of gold? On one side its base dips into the eastern ocean, and on the other side into the western. MÁTALI.--Great Prince, it is called "Golden-peak,"[43] and is the abode of the attendants of the god of Wealth. In this spot the highest forms of penance are wrought out. There Kaśyapa, the great progenitor Of demons and of gods, himself the offspring Of the divine Maríchi, Brahmá's son, With Aditi, his wife, in calm seclusion, Does holy penance for the good of mortals. KING.--Then I must not neglect so good an opportunity of obtaining his blessing. I should much like to visit this venerable personage and offer him my homage. MÁTALI.--By all means! An excellent idea. [_Guides the car to the earth._] KING [_in a tone of wonder_].--How's this? Our chariot wheels move noiselessly. Around No clouds of dust arise; no shock betokened Our contact with the earth; we seem to glide Above the ground, so lightly do we touch it. MÁTALI.--Such is the difference between the car of Indra and that of your Majesty.