that knotty bow that was created for the destruction of the world.  It is always protected with great vigilance by the gods, and it is from this bow that the one wielded by Arjuna hath taken its name.  Endued with the strength of hundred thousand bows, the power it assumes at the hour of battle is indescribably great.  It punishes all punishable wicked kings endued with the nature of Rakshasas.  This fierce weapon was first created by Brahman, the utterer of the Vedas.  The great preceptor Sukra hath said that this weapon is a terrible one in respect of all kings.  Endued with great energy, it is held by the sons of the Lord of waters.  Behold, there in the umbrella-room is the umbrella of the Lord of the waters.  It droppeth refreshing showers like the clouds.  The water dropped from this umbrella, though pure as the moon, is yet enveloped by such darkness that it cannot be seen by anybody.  There, in these regions, O Matali, innumerable are the wonders to be seen.  Your business, however, will suffer if we spend more time here.  We will, therefore, leave this region soon.’”

SECTION XCIX

“Narada continued, ’Here in the very centre of the world of the Nagas is situated the city known by the name of Patalam.  Celebrated over all the universe, it is worshipped by the Daityas and the Danavas.  Creatures inhabiting the earth, if brought hither by force of the water’s current, shriek loudly, afflicted with fear.  Here the fire known by the name of the Asura-fire[8] and which is fed by water, continually blazeth forth.  Held fast by the flat of the celestials, it moveth not, regarding itself as bound and confined.  It was here that’ the gods, having first vanquished and slain their foes, quaffed the Amrita and deposited the residue.  It is from this place that the waning and waxing of the moon are seen.  It is here that son of Aditi, the Horse-headed (Vishnu), on the recurrence of every auspicious occasion, riseth, filling at such times the universe, otherwise called Suvarna,[9] with the sound of Vedic hymns and Mantras.  And because all watery forms such as the Moon and others shower their water on the region, therefore hath this excellent region been called Patala.[10] It is from here that the celestial elephant Airavata, for the benefit of the universe, taketh up cool water in order to impart it to the clouds, and it is that water which Indra poureth down as rain.  Here dwell diverse kinds of aquatic animals, of various shapes such as the Timi and others, which subsist on the rays of the moon.  O charioteer, here are many kinds of creatures that die during the day, being pierced by the rays of the sun, but all of whom revive in the night, the reason being that the moon, rising here every day, laying those deceased creatures with Amrita by means of rays, that constitute his arms, resuscitate them by that touch.  Deprived of their prosperity by Vasava, it is here that many sinful Danavas live confined,