57. The big belly (Jathara) of Vishnu, is seen in the vast vacuity of the firmament, which contains all the worlds and all the past, present, and future creations in its spacious womb. 58. I see the earth as the footstool of Virát, and the high sky as the canopy on his head; his body is the stupendous fabric of the universe, and his sides are the sides of the compass. 59. I see the great Vishnu visibly manifest to my view, as shining under the cerulean vault of heaven, mounted on his eagle of mountain, and holding his conchshell, discus, cudgel and the lotus in his hands (in the manner described above). 60. I see the wicked and evil minded demons, flying from me in the manner of the fleeting straws, which are blown and borne away after by the breath of the winds. (Lit.:—as the heaps of straw or hay _tarna_). 61. This sable deity with his hue of the blue sapphire and mantle yellow, holding the club and mounted on the eagle and accompanied by Lakshmí; is no other than the selfsame Imperishable One. (Vishnu latterly called (Krishna) is the queller of demons, like Christ in the battle of the gods and Titan, and is believed to be the only begotten Son of God). 62. What adverse Spirit can dare approach this all-devouring flame, without being burnt to death, like a flight of moths falling on a vivid fire? 63. None of these hosts of gods or demigods that I see before me, is able to withstand the irresistible course of the destination of Vishnu. And all attempts to oppose it, will be as vain as for our weak-sighted eyes to shut out the light of the sun. 64. I know the gods Brahmá, Indra, Siva and Agni (Ignis—the god of fire), praise in endless verses and many tongues, the Vishnu as their Lord. 65. This Lord is ever resplendent with his dignity, and is invincible in his might; He is the Lord beyond all doubt, dispute and duality, and is joined with transcendent majesty. 66. I bow down to that person, which stands as a firm rock amidst the forest of the world, and is a defence from all fears and dangers. It is a stupendous body having all the worlds situated in its womb, and forming the essence and substance of every distinct object of vision. (Here Vishnu is shown in his microcosmic form of Virát (Virat murti)). CHAPTER XXXII. THE SPIRITUAL AND FORMAL WORSHIP OF VISHNU. Argument. Prahláda’s Worship of Vishnu both in spirit and his Image. Witnessed by the gods, as the Beginning of Hero and Idol Worship. Vasishtha continued:—After Prahláda had meditated on Vishnu in the aforesaid manner, he made an image of him as Náráyana himself, and thought upon worshipping that enemy of the Asura race. (Here Vishnu—the chief of Vishas and destroyer of Asuras, is represented as the spirit of Náráyana, and worshipped in that form).