going everywhere at will, ascended the skies and went to the region of the celestials. The celestials knowing they were coming, and acquainted also with the boons granted unto them by the Supreme Deity left heaven sought refuge in the region of Brahman. Endued with fierce prowess, the Daitya heroes soon subjugated the region of Indra, and vanquishing the diverse tribes of Yakshas and Rakshasas and every creature ranging the skies, came away. Those mighty car-warriors next subjugated the Nagas of the nether region, and then the inmates of the ocean and then all the tribes of the Mlechchhas. Desirous next of subjugating the whole Earth. those heroes of irresistible sway, summoning their soldiers, issued these cruel commands:-Brahmanas and royal sages (on Earth) with their libations and other fond offered at grand sacrifices, increase the energy and strength of the gods. as also their prosperity. Engaged in such acts, they are the enemies of the Asuras. All of us, therefore, mustering together should completely slaughter them off the face of the Earth I-Ordering their soldiers thus on the eastern shore of the great ocean, and entertaining such a cruel reso. lution, the Asura brothers set out in all directions. And those that were performing sacrifices and the Brahmanas that were assisting at those sacrifices, the mighty brothers instantly slew. And slaughtering them with violence they departed for some other place. Whilst their soldiers threw into the water the sacrificial fires that were in the asylums of Munis with souls under complete control. The curses uttered by the illustrious Rishis in wrath, rendered abortive by the boons granted (by Brahman) : affected not the Asura brother. When the Brahmanas saw that their curses produced not the slightest effect like shafts shot at stones they fled in all directions, forsaking their rites and vows. Even those Rishis on Earth that were crowned with ascetic success, and had their passions under complete control and were wholly engrossed in meditation of the Deity, from fear of the Asura brothers, fled like snakes at the approach of Vinata's son (Garuda the snake-eater). The sacred asylums were all trodden down and broken. The sacrificial jars and vessels being broken, their (sacred) contents were scattered over the ground. The whole universe became empty, as if its creatures had all been striken down during the season of general dissolution. And O king, after the Rishis had all disappeared and made themselves invisible both the great Asuras, resolved upon their destruction, began to assume various forms. Assuming the forms of maddened elephants with temples rent from excess of juice, the Asura pair, searching out the Rishis who had sheltered themselves in caves. sent them to the region of Yama. Sometimes becoming as lions and again as tigers and disappearing the next moment, by these
