Page:The Katha Sarit Sagara.djvu/506

 The vanquisher of obstacles, being pleased, asked him the cause of his coming, and said to him with an affectionate voice " Ascend by this path." Súryaprabha ascended by that path another five yojanas, and saw another great door of ruby. And not being able to enter there either, he praised the god Śiva by his thousand names with intent mind. Then the son of Skanda, called Viśákha, himself opened the door, proclaiming who he was, and introduced the prince into the interior. And Súryaprabha, having entered, beheld Skanda of the brightness of burning fire, accompanied by his five sons like himself, Śákha, Viśákha and their brothers, surrounded by inauspicious planets, and infant planets,* that submitted to him as soon as he was born, and by ten millions of Ganeśas, prostrate at his feet. That god Kártikeya also, being pleased, asked the cause of his coming, and shewed him the path by which to ascend the mountain. In the same manner he passed five other jewel-doors in succession, kept by Bhairava, Mahákála, Vírabhadra, Nandin, and Bhringin severally, each with his attendants, and at last he reached on the top of the mountain an eighth door of crystal. Then he praised Śiva, and he was introduced courteously by one of the Rudras, and beheld that abode of Śiva that excelled Svarga, in which blew winds of heavenly fragrance, in which the trees ever bore fruit and flowers, † in which the Gandharvas had begun their concert, which was all joyous with the dancing of Apsarases. Then, in one part of it, Súryaprabha beheld with joy the great god Śiva, seated on a throne of crystal, three-eyed, trident in hand, in hue like unto pure crystal, with yellow matted locks, with a lovely half-moon for crest, adored by the holy daughter of the mountain, who was seated at his side. And he advanced, and fell at the feet of him and the goddess Durgá. Then the adorable Hara placed his hand on his back, and made him. rise up, and sit down, and asked him why he had come. And Súryaprabha answered the god, " My coronation is nigh at hand, therefore I desire the Lord's presence at it." Then Śiva said to him, " Why have you gone through so much toil and hardship? Why did you not think of me where you were, in order that I might appear there. Be it so, I will be present." The god, who is kind to his votaries, said this, and calling a certain Gana who stood near him, gave him the following command: " Go and take this man to the Rishabha mountain, in order that he may be crowned emperor, for that is the place appointed for the grand coronation of emperors such as he is." When the Gana had received this command from the holy god, he took in his lap with all respect Súryaprabha, who had circumambulated Śiva. And he carried him and placed him on the Rishabha mountain by his magic power that very moment, and then disappeared. And when Súryaprabha arrived there, his