Vivaswata's son, a raja--and a sage of mighty fame, King of men, the first great fathers--in his glory equalled he, In his might and kingly power--Manu, and in earthly bliss, And in wonder-working penance--sire and grandsire far surpassed. With his arms on high outstretching--wrought the sovereign of men, Steadily on one foot standing--penance rigorous and dread, With his downward head low-drooping--with his fixed, unwavering eyes, Dreed he thus his awful penance--many a long and weary year. To the penitent with tresses--streaming loose, and wet, and long, By the margin of Wirini--thus the fish began to speak: "Blessed! lo, the least of fishes--of the mighty fish in dread, Wilt thou not from death preserve me--thou that all thy vows fulfill'st? Since the strongest of the fishes--persecute the weaker still, Over us impends for ever--our inevitable fate. Ere I sink, if thou wilt free me--from th' extremity of dread, Meet return can I compensate--when the holy deed is done." Speaking thus the fish when heard he--full of pity all his heart, In his hand that fish king Manu--son of Vivaswata took. Brought the son of Vivaswata--to the river shore the fish, Cast it in a crystal vessel--like the moonshine clear and bright. "Rapid grew that fish, O raja--tended with such duteous care, Cleaved to him the heart of Manu--as to a beloved son. Time rolled on, and larger, larger--ever waxed that wonderous fish, Nor within that crystal vessel--found he longer space to move." Spake again the fish to Manu--as he saw him, thus he spake: "O all prosperous! O all gentle!--bring me to another place." Then the fish from out the vessel--blessed Manu took again; And with gentle speed he bare him,--Manu, to a spacious lake. There the conqueror of cities,--mighty Manu, cast him in. Still he grew, that fish so wondrous--many a circling round of years. Three miles long that lake expanded--and a single mile its breadth, Yet that fish with eyes like lotus--there no longer might endure; Nor, O sovereign of the Vaisyas!--might that lake his bulk contain. Spake again that fish to Manu--as he saw him, thus he spake: "Bring me now, O blest and holy!--to the Ganga, ocean's bride, Let me dwell in her wide waters--yet, O loved one, as thou wilt, Be it so; whate'er thy bidding,--murmur would beseem me ill, Since through thee, O blest and blameless!--to this wondrous bulk I've grown." Thus addressed, the happy Manu--took again the fish, and bore To the sacred stream of Ganga--and himself he cast him in. Still it grew, as time rolled onward--tamer of thy foes! that fish. Spake again that fish to Manu--as he saw him, thus he spake: "Mightiest! I can dwell no longer--here in Ganga's narrow stream; Best of men! once more befriend me--bear me to the ocean swift."