38. Now the vault of heaven, appeared to be overspread with a network, studded with red lotuses of the flying fires on high; while the dark showers had the appearance of swarms of black bees, and the rain drops likened their fluttering wings. 39. All the sides of heaven resounded to the mingled clatter of hailstone and fire brands, falling down simultaneously from the comingled clouds of dire and dreadful appearance; and the scene all around was as diresome to behold, as the mingled warfare of two dreadful forces, with dire arms and commingled bloodshed. CHAPTER LXXVII. DESCRIPTION OF THE WORLD OVERFLOODED BY THE RAINS. Argument:—The world presenting the scene of one universal sheet of water caused by the deluging clouds. Vasishtha continued:—Hear now of the chaotic state of the world, which was brought on by conflict of the earth, air, water, and fire with one another; and how the three worlds were covered under the great diluvian waters. 2. The dark clouds flying in the air as pitchy ashes, overspread the world as a great ocean, with whirlpools of rolling smoke. 3. The dark blaze of the fire glimmered amidst the combustibles, and converted all of them to heaps of ashes, which flew and spread over all the world. 4. The swelling sound of the hissing showers rose as high, as they were blowing aloud the whistle of their victory. 5. There was the assemblage of all the five kinds of clouds and all of them pouring their waters in profusion upon the ground; these were the ashy clouds, the grey clouds, the _kalpa_ clouds, and the misty and the showering clouds. 6. The howling breezes, tottered the foundations of the world; the high wind rose high to heaven, and filled all space; and bore the flames to burn down the regencies of the gods on every side. 7. The winds dived deep into the depths of water, and bore and dispersed their frigidity to all sides of the airs, which numbed the senses, and deafened the ears of all (by their coldness). 8. A loud hubbub filled the world, raised by the incessant fall of rain in columns from the vault of heaven; and by the roaring and growling of the kalpa fire. 9. The whole earth was filled with water as one ocean, by waterfalls from the clouds of heaven, resembling the torrents of Ganges and the currents of all rivers. 10. The canopy of the kalpa or diluvian clouds, pierced by the shining sun-beams above them, appeared as the leafy tuft at the top of the nigrescent _tamála_ tree, with clusters of lurid flowers, peeping through the sable leaves. 11. The all destroying tornado bore away the broken fragments, of trees and rocks, and the top of towers and castles aloft in the air; dashed them against the skycapt mountains, and broke them asunder to pieces. 12. The swift stars and planets, clashing with the rapid comets and meteors, struck sparks of fire and flame by their mutual concussion, which burned about as igneous whirlpools in the air.