41. I ween, O spiritual Sage! all my sins to be removed at your blessed sight, and the tree of my life to be blest with its best fruit of spiritual bliss, which results from the society of the virtuous, and whose taste removes all diseases and dangers. CHAPTER XXI. EXPLANATION OF THE CAUSE OF THE CROW'S LONGEVITY. Argument.--The eminence of the kalpa tree, and its durability in all ages. The doings of destiny, and the results of past reminiscence. Vhusunda continued. This kalpa tree whereon we dwell remains firm and unshaken amidst the revolutions of ages and the blasts of all destroying cyclones and hurricanes. (Figuratively said of human desires, which continue with the soul through all the vicissitudes of life, and all its endless transmigrations, so says ([Sanskrit: kálah krínati gacchatyáyustadapi namunchatyásárbayuh]).) 2. This arbor of desire is inaccessible to other people dwelling in all worlds; it is therefore that we reside here in perfect peace and delight, and without disturbance of any kind. (_i.e._ We dwell on the firm rock of our secret hopes and expectations, where no body can obtrude upon us, and of which no external accident has the power to despoil us). 3. When Heranyákha the gigantic demon of antediluvian race, strove to hurl this earth with all its septuple continents into the lowest abyss, even then did this tree remain firm on its roots, and on the summit of this mountains. 4. And then as this mountainous abode of the gods, stood trembling with all other mountains of this earth (on the tusk of the divine Varáha or boar), even then did this tree remain unshaken on its firm basis. 5. When Náráyana supported this seat of the gods on his two arms (_i.e._ the Meru), and uplifted the mandara mount on the other two, even then did this tree remain unshaken. 6. When the orbs of the sun and moon, shook with fear, at the tremendous warfare of the gods and demons, and the whole earth was in a state of commotion and confusion, even then did this tree stand firm on its root. 7. When the mountains were up-rooted by the hail-storms blowing with tremendous violence, and sweeping away the huge forest trees of this mount of Meru, even then was this tree unshaken by the blast. 8. When the mount Mandara rolled into the milky ocean, and gusts of wind filling its caverns (like canvases of a vessel), bore it afloat on the surface of the water; and the great masses of diluvian clouds rolled about in the vault of heaven, even then did this tree remain steadfast as a rock. 9. When this mount of Meru was under the grasp of Kálanemi and was going to crush by his gigantic might (with its inhabitants of the gods), even then this tree remained steady on its roots. 10. When the siddhas were blown away by the flapping wings of Garuda--the king of birds, in their mutual warfare for this ambrosial fare, even then this remained unmoved by the wind.