03.103
Lomaśa said.
He, the illustrious sage, son of Varuṇa, having reached the ocean, spoke to the assembled gods and sages who had gathered there. (03-103-1)
I am indeed drinking the water (the abode of Varuṇa) for the welfare of the world. Let that which is to be done by you all be quickly arranged. (03-103-2)
Having thus spoken, the son of Mitrāvaruṇa, the infallible one, in his anger drank up the ocean while all beings watched. (03-103-3)
Seeing the ocean being consumed, the gods along with Indra were filled with supreme amazement and honored (him) with praises. (03-103-4)
You are our protector and creator, and the one who brings forth the existence of the worlds; by your favor, the world together with the gods would not go to complete destruction. (03-103-5)
As he was worshipped by the gods, with Gandharva music resounding everywhere and divine flowers showered upon him, the great-souled one made the great ocean dry. (03-103-6)
When they saw the great ocean made waterless, all the gods, extremely delighted, bravely took up their divine, excellent weapons and attacked the Dānavas. (03-103-7)
Those beings, being slain by the thirty gods—great-souled, very powerful, swift, and resounding—they were unable to withstand at that time the might of those forceful and noble dwellers of heaven. (03-103-8)
O Bhārata, though being slain by the gods, the dānavas with terrible cries made a very tumultuous battle, as if for a moment. (03-103-9)
They, having previously been burned by the asceticism of sages whose selves are purified, and though striving with utmost power, were completely destroyed by the gods. (03-103-10)
They, adorned with golden ornaments and wearing earrings and armlets, having slain many, shone brilliantly, like blossoming kiṃśuka trees. (03-103-11)
O best of men, then the Kāleyas who had survived after being slain, pierced the goddess Earth and took refuge in the realm of the netherworld. (03-103-12)
When the gods saw the demons slain, they praised the foremost sage with various words and also said these words. (03-103-13)
O greatly fortunate one, by your favor the peoples have gained great happiness; and by your energy, the cruelly powerful Kāleyas have been destroyed. (03-103-14)
O mighty-armed one, O nourisher of the world, fill the ocean. Release again into it the water which you drank. (03-103-15)
Thus addressed, the illustrious sage replied: "That water I have is exhausted; let another method be considered. For the purpose of filling the ocean, let the effort be undertaken by you all." (03-103-16)
On hearing these words spoken by the great sage of deep spiritual realization, the assembled gods became both astonished and dejected. (03-103-17)
After taking mutual leave and bowing to the foremost sage, O great king, all the people departed just as they had arrived. (03-103-18)
The thirty gods, together with Viṣṇu, approached Brahmā. After repeatedly consulting for the purpose of filling the ocean, they all, with folded hands, requested the complete replenishment of the ocean. (03-103-19)
