The âtakamâlâmerchants said: 'It is impossible, indeed, to reduce the speed of the ship, much less to change her course. She is being driven too swiftly by the current, and the wind blows contrary.'
Now, having crossed also that sea, the merchants perceived another sea, whose rolling waves were tinged with the splendour of gold resembling the red-brown colour of flames, and filled with amazement and curiosity they spoke about it to Supâraga.
16. 'It looks now as if the high, bright waves had been tinged with the brilliant hue of the rising sun. They appear to us like a great, blazing fire. Say, what sea is this and how is it named for this reason?'
17. 'Agnimâlin [ = wearing fire-garlands] is the celebrated name of this sea. It would be very prudent, indeed, if we were to turn back now.'
Thus saying the Great Being, far-seeing as he was, told them only the name of that sea, but concealed the cause of the change of colour of the water. After crossing also that sea, the merchants saw that the colour of the sea changed again; now its hue bore a resemblance to a grove of ripe ku_s_a-grass, and its waters were illuminated with the lustre of topazes and sapphires; and prompted by curiosity they asked Supâraga:
18. 'Which of the seas now appears to us? Its waters have the colour of the blades of ripe ku_s_a-grass. The breaking of its wind-stirred billows crowns it with a many-coloured foam-ornament, and makes it look as if it were overspread with flowers.'
Supâraga said: 'Say, merchants, you should now make efforts to turn back. Surely it is not advisable to go farther.
19. 'This is the sea named Ku_s_amâlin [= wearing kusa-garlands]. Like an elephant not heeding the goad, it drags forcibly along with its irresistible waves, and will take away our enjoyment.'
And the merchants, not being able to turn the ship, however bravely they exerted themselves, crossed also that sea. Then perceiving another sea, the water of which had a greenish colour like that proceeding from the united brilliancy of emeralds and beryls, they asked Supâraga:
20. 'The sea we now behold has yet another appearance. Its waters have the green shine of emeralds and resemble a splendid meadow; they are adorned with foam as lovely as waterlilies. Which sea is this again?'