CHAPTER XXV. NARRATIVE OF DÁMA, VYÁLA AND KATA. Argument. The demon Sambara defeated by the deities, and his production of other demons by magic and sorcery. Vasishtha said:—O intelligent Ráma! that dost shine as the delight of mankind in this world, and endeavourest after the attainment of thy chief good, by the accomplishment of thy best objects. 2. Do not let the instance of the demons Dáma and Vyála or the snare and snake, apply to thy case; but try to extricate thyself from vain sorrowing (at the miseries of the world), by the lesson of fortitude as given in the story of Bhíma and Bhása. 3. Ráma asked:—What is that parable of the snare and snake, which thou sayest must not apply to my case? Please relate it in full, to remove the sorrows of my mind and of all mankind. 4. And how is that fortitude which thou pointest out for my imitation, from the instance of Bhíma and Bhása, in order to get rid from all earthly sorrow? 5. Kindly relate the whole, and enlighten me with thy purifying words, as the roaring of the rainy clouds, serves to alleviate the summer heat of peacocks. 6. Vasishtha replied:—Hear me Ráma! relate to you both these anecdotes, that you may derive the benefit of aping according the same. 7. There lived one Sambara—the chief of demons, and a profound sorcerer in a subterraneous cell, filled with enchanting wonders like a sea of gems. 8. He constructed a magic city in the sky, with gardens and temples of gods in it; and artificial suns and moons emblazoning its vault. 9. It was beset with rich stones, resembling the gems of the Sumeru mountain; and the palace of the demon was full with opulence and treasures of every kind. 10. The beauties in his seraglio, vied with the celestial dames in their charming strains; and the arbors of his pleasure garden, were shaded by an awning of bright moon-beams on high. 11. The blue lotuses blooming in his bed room, put to blush the blue eyed maids of his court; and the gemming swans in the lakes, cackled about the beds of golden lotuses in them. 12. The high branches of aureate plants, bore the blossoms of artificial lotuses on them; and the rows of _Karanga_ arbours dropped down showers of _mandára_ flowers on the ground. 13. His garden-house consisted both of cold and hot baths, and refrigeratories and fire-places for the hot and cold seasons; and the _tarku_ (?) weapons of the demons, had baffled the arms of Indra himself. 14. The flower-gardens on all sides, had surpassed the _mandara_ groves of paradise; and the magical skill of the demon, had set rows of sandal trees, with their encircling snakes all around. 15. The inner compound which was strewn over with gold dust, vanquished the glory of heaven; and the court-yard of the palace, was filled with heaps of flowers upto the knee.