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

XCIX, 4. CONCLUSION. 297
(Vishzzu) with a cheerful mind, addressed herself to
the goddess (Lakshmi).
XCIX.
1. After having seen 5ri (Lakshmi), the goddess
of the earth, highly pleased, questioned (in the fol-
lowing manner) that goddess, who was stroking the
feet of Vish/zu, the god of the gods, who was shining
with the splendour of her austerities, and whose face
was radiant like melted gold.
2. ‘ O charming lady! Thy hands are as beauti-
ful as the expanded red lotus. Thou art holding
the feet of him whose navel resembles the expanded
red lotus. Thou art constantly residing in an abode
resembling the expanded red lotus. Thy waist has
the colour of the expanded red lotus.
3. ‘ Thy eyes resemble blue lotus-flowers; thy
hue is radiant like gold ; thy robe is white ; thy body
is adorned with gems ; thy face is radiant like the
moon; thou art resplendent like the sun ; thy power
is immense ; thou art the sovereign (or producer)
of the world.
4. ‘ Thou art repose (final liberation), the highest
among the (four) objects of human pursuit; thou art
Lakshmi; thou art a support (in danger); thou art
Ari; thou art indifference (the freedom from all
worldly pursuits and appetites, which is the conse-
quence of final emancipation); thou art victory;
4. The ‘ four objects of human pursuit ’ are, kama, 1 desire ’ (and
its gratification), artha, ‘ gain,’ dharma, ‘ religious merit,’ and moksha,
‘ final emancipation.’ The goddess is called Lakshmi, because
she is the aim (lakshyate) of all beings. She is called dri, because
she serves Purushottama (Vishmi), or because she is the resort of
all. (Nand.)