Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/89

Rh "And from that place be began to scatter his heat around for the destruction of the world. And then the great Rishis, approaching the gods, spake unto them.-'Lo, in the middle of the night springeth a great heat striking terror into every heart, and destructive of the three worlds!' Then the gods, accompanied by the Rishis, wended to the Grand-sire, and said unto him,-'0 what is this great heat to-day that causeth a such panic ? Surya hath not yet risen, still the destruction of the world) is obvious! O Lord, what shall it be when he doth rise ? The Grand-sire replied, 'Indeed, Surya is prepared to rise to-day for the destruction of the world! As soon as he will appear he will burn everything into a heap of ashes. By me, however, hath the remedy been provided beforehand. The intelligent son of Kasyapa is known to all by the name of Aruna, He is huge of body and of great splendour : he shall stay in front of Surya, doing the duty of his charioteer and taking away all the energy of the former. And this will ensure the welfare of the worlds, of the Rishis, and of the dwellers in heaven."

Sauti continued, -"Aruoa, at the behest of the Grand-sire, did all that he was ordered to do. And Surya rose veiled by Aruna's person. I have told thee now why Surya was in wrath, and how Aruna, the brother of Garuda, was appointed as his charioteer. Hear next of that other question asked by thee a little while ago.

And so ends the twenty-fourth section in the Astika Parva of the Adi Parva.

Sauti said. "Then that bird of great strength and energy and capable of going at will to every place repaired to his mother's side on the other shore of the great ocean. Thither lived Vinata in affliction, defeated in wager and put into a state of slavery. Once Kadru calling Vinata who had prostrated herselt before the former, addressed her these words in the presence of her son,-'O gentle Vinata, there is in the midst of the ocean, in a remote quarter, a delightful and fair region inhabited by the Nagas. Bear me thither l' At this chat mother of the bird of fair feathers bore (on her shoulders) the mother of the snakes. And Garuda also, directed by his mother's words, carried (on his back) the snakes. And that ranger of the skies born of Vinata began to ascend towards the Sun. And thereupon the snakes, scorched by the rays of the Sun, swooned away. And Kadru seeing her sons in that state prayed to Indra,