Page:The Katha Sarit Sagara.djvu/502

 and Náráyana himself, in wrath, attacked Prabhása with sharp-edged* arrows. And he fearlessly fought with him, opposing those and other missiles with his own missiles, and when his horses were slain, and he was deprived of his chariot, he ascended another, and still fought with that enemy of the Daityas on equal terms. Then the god enraged sent forth his flaming discus. And Prabhása sent forth a heavenly sword, after consecrating it with magic formulas. While those two weapons were contending, Śiva, seeing that the sword was gradually being overpowered by the discus, made an angry roar. That caused the discus and sword to be both destroyed. Then the Asuras rejoiced, and the gods were cast down, as Súryaprabha had obtained the victory, and Śrutaśarman was taken prisoner. Then the gods praised and propitiated Śiva, and the husband of Ambika, being pleased, gave this command to the gods— " Ask any boon but that promised to Súryaprabha; who can set aside what has been once promised at a burnt-sacrifice?" The gods said " But, Lord, let that also which we promised to Śrutaśarman be fulfilled, and let not our sons perish." Then they ceased, and the Holy Lord thus commanded them, " When peace is made, let that be so, and this is the condition of peace;— let Śrutaśarman with all his retinue do homage to Súryaprabha. Then we will issue a decree which shall be for the weal of both." The gods acquiesced in this decision of Śiva's, and made Śrutaśarman do homage to Súryaprabha. Then they renounced their enmity and embraced one another, and the gods and Asuras also laid aside their enmity and made peace with one another. Then, in the hearing of the gods and Asuras, the holy Śiva said this to Súryaprabha: " You must rule yourself in the southern half-vedi, but the northern halt-vedi give to Śrutaśarman. For you are destined, my son, soon to receive the fourfold sovereignty of all the sky-goers, Kinnaras and all. And when you receive this, as you will be in a distinguished position, you must also give the southern half-vedi to Śrikunjarakumára." And as for the heroes slain on both sides in the battle, let them all rise up alive with unwounded limbs. After saying this, Śiva disappeared, and all those heroes, who were slain in that battle, rose up unwounded, as if they had awaked from sleep. Then Súryaprabha, the tamer of his foes, intent on observing the command of Śiva, went to a remote extensive plain, and sitting in full court, himself made Śrutaśarman, who came to him, sit down on half of his throne. And his companions, headed by Prabhása, and Śrutaśarman's companions, headed by Dámodara, sat at the side of the two princes. And Sunítha and Maya, and the other Dánavas, and the kings of the Vidyádharas too sat on seats in order of precedence. Then the Daityas, who were kings of the seven Pátálas, headed by Prahláda, and the kings of the