to me) what sorrow can I feel (for this change in my condition)? one that is possessed of great learning, one that has not much of learning, one that is possessed of strength, one that is destitute of strength, one that is possessed of personal beauty, and one that is very ugly, one that is fortunate and one that is not blessed by fortune, are all swept away by Time, which is too deep to be fathomed, by its own energy.  When I know that I have been vanquished by Time, what sorrow can I feel (for this alteration in my circumstances)?  One that burns anything burns a thing that has been already burnt.  One that slays, only slays a victim already slain.  One that is destroyed has been before destroyed.  A thing that is acquired by a person is that which is already arrived and intended for his acquisition.  This Time is like an ocean.  There is no island in it.  Where, indeed, is its other shore?  Its boundary cannot be seen.  Reflecting even deeply, I do not behold the end of this continuous stream that is the great ordainer of all things and that is certainly celestial.  If I did not understand that it is Time that destroys all creatures, then, perhaps, I would have felt the emotions of joy and pride and wrath, O lord of Sachi!  Hast thou come here to condemn me, having ascertained that I am now bearing the form of an ass that subsists upon chaff and that is now passing his days in a lonely spot remote from the habitations of men?  If I wish, even now I can assume various awful forms beholding any one of which thou wouldst beat a hasty retreat from my presence.  It is Time that gives everything and again takes away everything.  It is Time that ordains all things.  Do not, O Sakra, brag of thy manliness.  Formerly, O Purandara, on occasions of my wrath everything used to become agitated.  I am acquainted, however, O Sakra, with the eternal attributes of all things in the world.  Do thou also know the truth.  Do not suffer thyself to be filled with wonder.  Affluence and its origin are not under one’s control.  Thy mind seems to be like that of a child.  It is the same as it was before.  Open thy eyes, O Maghavat, and adopt an understanding established on certitude and truth.  The gods, men, the Pitris, the Gandharvas, the snakes, and the Rakshasas, were all under my sway in days gone by.  Thou knowest this, O Vasava!  Their understandings stupefied by ignorance, all creatures used to flatter me, saying, ’Salutations to that point of the compass whither Virochana’s son Vali may now be staying!’ O lord of Sachi, I do not at all grieve when I think of that honour (which is no longer paid to me).  I feel no sorrow for this fall of mine.  My understanding is firm in this respect, viz., that I will live obedient to the sway of the Ordainer.  It is seen that some one of noble birth, possessed of handsome features, and endued with great prowess, lives in misery, with all his counsellors and friends.  This happens because of its having been ordained.[839] Similarly, some one born in an ignoble race, devoid of knowledge, and with even a stain on his birth, is seen, O Sakra, to live in happiness with all his counsellors and friends.