They moreover assert that the heavens have no existence, and that the constellations and stars are fixed in the air. According to them there are seven _samudras_, that is oceans, on this earth: the salt sea, that of sugar-cane juice, the sea of spirituous liquors, that of clarified butter, the sea of curds, the lacteal, and lastly, that of sweet waters. They also say that there rises above the earth a mountain called _Su-Meru_[59] entirely formed of the purest gold, on which the angelic beings reside, and around which the stars revolve. There are nine spheres, namely: those of the seven planets, with those of _Rás_ and _Zanab_ (the head and tail of the dragon), which are also borne along in their celestial vehicles. _Rás_ and _Zanab_ are two demons who drank the water of life, whom Vishnu, at the suggestion of the sun and moon, smote with a weapon called the _Chákra_, or disk, and rent open their throats; in revenge for which, the moon is devoured by _Rás_, and the sun by _Zanab_; but as their throats are rent open, whatever is taken in at the mouth issues at the aperture in the throat: by this allegory they allude to the lunar and solar eclipses.[60] Brahma dwells in a city called _Rást Lok_;[61] Vishnu in a region called _Vaikanth_; and Mahadeo on a mountain of silver named _Káilasa_. They also maintain that the fixed stars have no actual existence, but that the objects which shine by night are couches of gold set with diamonds and rubies, on which the inhabitants of paradise repose. [62]*On this Shidosh remarks: “It is agreed that paradise means the heavens, and also that the fixed stars are in the eighth heaven; so that, consequently, the heavens constitute the couches of the souls.”*[63]