ocean rendered devoid of water, the host of gods was exceedingly glad; and taking up choice weapons of celestial forge, fell to slaying the demons with courageous hearts,—­And they, assailed by the magnanimous gods, of great strength, and swift of speed, and roaring loudly, were unable to withstand the onset of their fleet and valorous (foes)—­those residents of the heavenly regions, O descendant of Bharata!  And those demons, attacked by the gods, bellowing loudly, for a moment carried on terrible conflict.  They had been in the first instance burnt by the force of penances performed by the saints, who had matured their selves; therefore, the demons, though they tried to the utmost, were at last slaughtered by the gods.  And decked with brooches of gold, and bearing on their persons ear-rings and armlets, the demons, when slain, looked beautiful indeed, like palasa trees when full of blossoms.  Then, O best of men! a few—­the remnant of those that were killed of the Kalakeya race, having rent asunder the goddess Earth, took refuge at the bottom of the nether regions.  And the gods, when they saw that the demons were slain, with diverse speeches, glorified the mighty saint, and spake the following words.  ’O thou of mighty arms, by thy favour men have attained a mighty blessing, and the Kalakeyas, of ruthless strength have been killed by thy power, O creator of beings!  Fill the sea (now), O mighty-armed one; give up again the water drunk up by thee.’  Thus addressed, the blessed and mighty saint replied, ’That water in sooth hath been digested by me.  Some other expedient, therefore, must be thought of by you, if ye desire to make endeavour to fill the ocean.’  Hearing this speech of that saint of matured soul, the assembled gods were struck with both wonder and sadness, O great king!  And thereupon, having bidden adieu to each other, and bowed to the mighty saint all the born beings went their way.  And the gods with Vishnu, came to Brahma.  And having held consultation again, with the view of filling up the sea, they, with joined hands, spake about replenishing it.”

SECTION CVI

“Lomasa said, ’Then gathered together, Brahma, the grandfather of men (thus) addressed, ’Go ye, O gods! whither your pleasure may lead you, or your desire conduct you.  It will take a long course of time for the ocean to resume its wonted state; the occasion will be furnished by the agnates of the great king Bhagiratha.’  Hearing the words of the (universal) grandfather (Brahma), all the foremost gods went their way biding the day (when the ocean was to be filled again).’

“Yudhishthira said, ’What was that occasion, O Saint?  And how did the agnates of (Bhagiratha furnish the same)?  And how was the ocean refilled by the interference of Bhagiratha?  O Saint, who deemest thy religious practices as thy only treasure.  O thou of the priestly class!  I wish to hear the account of the achievements of the king, narrated in detail by thyself.’”