30. It does not grieve us so much to be pierced with thorns and needles in our bodies, as to see things of opposite natures, to be set in conjunction with one another. 31. Whatever is naturally adapted to its time and place, the same seems to suit it then and there; hence the lotus has its grace in water and not upon the land. 32. Where are the vile Daityas, prone to their misdeeds at all times; and how far is the Vaishnava faith from them that can never appreciate its merit? 33. O lord! as we are never glad to learn a lotus-bed to be left to parch in the desert soil; so we can never rejoice at the thought, that the race of demons will place their faith in Vishnu—the lord of gods. CHAPTER XXXIII. PRAHLÁDA’S SUPPLICATION TO HARI. Argument. Hari’s Visit to Prahláda, and his Adoration of him. Vasishtha said:—The lord of Lakshmí, seeing the gods so clamorous in their accusation of the demons, gave his words to them in sounds as sonorous as those of the rainy clouds, in response to the loud noise of screaming and thirst-stricken peacocks. 2. The Lord Hari said:—Don’t you marvel ye gods! at Prahláda’s faith in me; as it is by virtue of the virtuous acts of his past lives, that pious prince is entitled to his final liberation in this his present life. 3. He shall not have to be born again in the womb of a woman, nor to be reproduced in any form on earth; but must remain aloof from regeneration, like a fried pea which does not germinate any more. 4. A virtuous man turning impious, becomes of course the source of evil; but an unworthy man becoming meritorious, is doubtless a step towards his better being and blessedness. 5. You good gods that are quite happy in your blessed seats in heaven, must not let the good deserts of Prahláda be any cause of your uneasiness. 6. Vasishtha resumed:—The Lord having thus spoken to the gods, became invisible to them, like a feather floating on the surface of waves. 7. The assemblage of the immortals then repaired to their heavenly abodes after taking their leave of the god; as the particles of sea water are borne to the sky by the zephyrs, or by the agitation of the Mandara mountain. 8. The gods were henceforth pacified towards Prahláda; because the mind is never suspicious of one who has the credit of his superiors. 9. Prahláda also continued in the daily adoration of his god, with the contriteness of his heart, and in the formulas of his spiritual, oral and bodily services. 10. It was in the course of his divine service in this manner, that he attained the felicity proceeding from his right discrimination, self-resignation and other virtues with which he was crowned. 11. He took no delight in any object of enjoyment, nor felt any pleasure in the society of his consorts, all which he shunned as a stag shuns a withered tree, and the company of human beings.