23. After the burning of the Pandemonium, and expulsion of the demons, the infernal regions presented a void waste, as at the last devastation of the world. 24. After the Lord had extirpated the demoniac race, at the end of the Titanic age, he disappeared from view with the grateful greetings of the synod of gods. 25. The surviving sons of the demon, who had fled from the burning of their city, were afterwards led back to it by Prahláda; as the migrating fowls are made to return to the dry bed of a lake by a shower of rains. 26. There they mourned over the dead bodies of the demons, and lamented at the loss of their possessions, and performed at last the funeral ceremonies of their departed friends and relatives. 27. After burning the dead bodies of their friends, they invited the relics of the demons; that had found their safety by flight, to return to their deserted habitations again. 28. The Asuras and their leaders, now continued to mourn with their disconsolate minds and disfigured bodies, like lotuses beaten down by the frost. They remained without any effort or attempt as the figures in a painting; and without any hope of resuscitation, like a withered tree or an arbour stricken by lightning. CHAPTER XXXI. PRAHLÁDA’S FAITH IN VISHNU. Argument. Prahláda’s Lamentations at the slaughter of the demons, and his conversion to Vishnuism. Vasishtha continued:—Prahláda remained disconsolate in his subterranean region, brooding over the melancholy thoughts of the destruction of the Dánavas and their habitations. 2. Ah! what is to become of us, said he, when this Hari is bent to destroy the best amongst us, like a monkey nipping the growing shoots and sprouts of trees. 3. I do not see the Daityas anywhere in earth or in the infernal regions, that are left in the enjoyment of their properties; but are stunted in their growth like the lotuses growing on mountain tops. 4. They rise only to fall like the loud beating of a drum, and their rising is simultaneous with their falling as of the waves in the sea. (_i.e._ no sooner they rise, than they are destined to fall). 5. Woe unto us! that are so miserable in both our inward and outward circumstances; and happy are our enemies of light (Devas), that have their ascendency over us. O the terrors of darkness! 6. But our friends of the dark infernal regions, are all darkened in their souls with dismay: also their fortune is as transitory as the expansion of the lotus-leaf by day, and its contraction at night. 7. We see the gods, who were mean servants at the feet of our father, to have usurped his kingdom; in the manner of the timid deer, usurping the sovereignty of the lion in the forest. (So said the sons of Tipu Sultan, when they saw the English polluting his library with their hands).