32. He reflected on the half mantra of Om (_i.e._ the dot only); an emblem of the Infinite God; and sat quietly with all his desires and fancies lying dormant in him. 33. He sat undaunted, by suppressing his thoughts and his thinking powers within him; and remained with his subdued desires, after having lost the consciousness of his meditation, and of his being the meditator and also of meditated object. (_i.e._ Without knowing himself as the subject or object of his thoughts and acts). 34. While Bali was entranced in this manner at the window which was decked with gems, he became illumined in his mind as a lighted lamp flaming unshaken by the wind. And he remained long in his steady posture as a statue carved of a stone. 35. He sat with his mind as clear as the autumnal sky after having cast off all his desires and mental anxieties, and being filled within himself with his spiritual light. CHAPTER XXVIII. DESCRIPTION OF BALI’S ANAESTHESIA. Argument. Anxiety of the demons at the supineness of Bali, and the Appearance of Sukra with them before him. Vasishtha continued:—The servile demons of Bali (being impatient at this numbness of their king), ascended hastily to his high crystal palace, and stood at the door of his chamber. 2. There were his ministers Dimbha and others among them, and his generals Kumuda and others also. There were likewise the princes Sukra and others in the number, and his champions Vritta and the rest. 3. There were Hayagríva and the other captains of his armies, with his friends Akraja and others. His associates Laduka and some more joined the train, with his servants Valluka and many more. 4. There were also the gods Kubera, Yama and Indra that paid him their tribute; and the Yakshas, Vidyádhars and Nágas that rendered him their services. (Were the Vidyádhars the Vedias or gipsies of modern India?). 5. There were the heavenly nymphs Rambhá and Tilottamá in the number, with the fanning and flapping damsels of his court; and the deputies of different provinces and of hilly and maritime districts, were also in attendance. 6. These accompanied by the Siddhas inhabiting different parts of the three worlds, all waited at that place to tender their services to Bali. 7. They beheld Bali with reverence, with his head hanging down with the crown upon it, and his arms hanging loosely with the pendant bracelets on them. 8. Seeing him thus, the great Asuras made their obeisance to him in due form, and were stupified with sorrow and fear, and struck with wonder and joy by turns at this sad plight of his. 9. The ministers kept pondering about what was the case with him, and the demons besought their all knowing preceptor Sukra, for his explaining the case to them. 10. Quick as thought they beheld the shining figure of Sukra, standing confest to their sight, as if they saw the phantom of their imagination appearing palpable to view.