Grand, indeed, and lovely is the spectacle presented by the earth.
Tell me, Mátali, what is the range of mountains which, like a bank of clouds illumined by the setting sun, pours down a stream of gold? On one side its base dips into the eastern ocean, and on the other side into the western.
Great Prince, it is called 'Golden-peak[113],' and is the abode of the attendants of the god of wealth. In this spot the highest forms of penance are wrought out.
There Ka[s']yapa[114], the great progenitor Of demons and of gods, himself the offspring Of the divine Maríchi, Brahmá's son, With Adití, his wife, in calm seclusion, Does holy penance for the good of mortals.
Then I must not neglect so good an opportunity of obtaining his blessing. I should much like to visit this venerable personage and offer him my homage.
Our chariot wheels move noiselessly. Around No clouds of dust arise; no shock betokened Our contact with the earth; we seem to glide Above the ground, so lightly do we touch it.
Such is the difference between the car of Indra and that of your Majesty.
In which direction, Mátali, is Ka[s']yapa's sacred retreat?
Where stands yon anchorite, towards the orb Of the meridian sun, immovable As a tree's stem, his body half-concealed By a huge ant-hill. Bound about his breast No sacred cord is twined[115], but in its stead A hideous serpent's skin. In place of necklace, The tendrils of a withered creeper chafe His wasted neck. His matted hair depends In thick entanglement about his shoulders, And birds construct their nests within its folds[116].
I salute thee, thou man of austere devotion.
MÁTALI. [_Holding in the reins of the car_.
Great Prince, we are now in the sacred grove of the holy Ka[s']yapa--the grove that boasts as its ornament one of the five trees of Indra's heaven, reared by Adití.
This sacred retreat is more delightful than heaven itself. I could almost fancy myself bathing in a pool of nectar.
The chariot will remain where I have stopped it. We may both descend.
You see around you the celebrated region where the holiest sages devote themselves to penitential rites.
I am filled with awe and wonder as I gaze.
In such a place as this do saints of earth Long to complete their acts of penance; here, Beneath the shade of everlasting trees. Transplanted from the groves of Paradise, May they inhale the balmy air, and need No other nourishment[117]; here may they bathe In fountains sparkling with the golden dust Of lilies; here, on jewelled slabs of marble, In meditation rapt, may they recline; Here, in the presence of celestial nymphs, E'en passion's voice is powerless to move them.