The institutes of Vishnu (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1880)

6

VISH2VU.

I, 25.
25. Her arms were as delicate as lotus fibres;
her hands were similar to young shoots; her thighs
were resplendent like golden pillars ; and her knees
were hidden (under the flesh), and closely touching
each other.
26. Her legs were smooth and exquisitely
proportioned ; her feet exceedingly graceful; her
loins fleshy; and her waist like that of a lion’s
cub.
27. Her reddish nails shone (like rubies); her
beauty was the delight of every looker-on; and with
her glances she filled at every step all the quarters
of the sky as it were with lotus-flowers.
28. Radiant with divine lustre, she illuminated all
the quarters of the sky with it; her clothing was
most exquisite and perfectly white ; and she was
decorated with the most precious gems.
29. With her steps she covered the earth as it
were with lotuses; she was endowed with beauty
and youthful charms ; and made her approach with
modest bearing.
30. Having seen her come near, Kasyapa saluted
her reverentially, and said, ‘ O handsome lady, O
earth, radiant with divine lustre, I am acquainted
with thy thoughts.
31. ‘Go to visit Ganardana, O large-eyed lady;
he will tell thee accurately, how thou shalt hence-
forth sustain thyself.
32. ‘For thy sake, O (goddess), whose face is
lovely and whose limbs are beautiful, I have found
out, by profound meditation, that his residence is in
the Kshiroda (milk-ocean).’
33. The goddess of the earth answered, ‘Yes,
(I shall do as you bid me),’ saluted Ka^yapa rever-