p166 _
-chap- _
toc-1 _
p167w _
toc-2 _
+chap+ _
p168
----- bhagap167.html
THE FOURTH MAXVAXTARA.
SKANDHA VIII. CHAP. 1-4.
The fourth Mann was Tamasa, brother of Uttama. He had
ten sons, Prithu, Khyati, Nara, Ketu and others.
Satyaka, Hari and Vira were the Devas. Trisikha was Indra.
Jyotirdhaman and others were the seven Rishis. The Vedas
had been lost in time. The sons of Vidhriti, called Vaidhritis, how-
ever preserved them by their own energy. They are also the Devas
of this manvantara.
The Avatara Hari incarnated as the son of Harimedhas by
Harini. He saved the Elephant king from the crocodile.
THE STORY OF THE ELEPHANT KING.
SKANDHA VIII. CHAP. 2-4.
An elephant king resided on the summits of Trikuta. He
roamed about with his female herd, intoxicated with the juice that
exuded from his temples. Finding a lake, he plunged himself into
its waters and quenched his thirst. He then took water in his trunk
and passed it on to the young herd and the females. A powerful
crocodile attacked him in rage. They fought for one thousand
years, each trying to draw the other unto him. The elephants on the
bank raised a piteous cry, but they could not be of any use to their
companion. The Elephant King got tired at last, but the crocodile
being in his own element did not feel any fatigue. The elephant
devoutly and ardently prayed to the supreme Purusha. In response
to that prayer, Hari appeared with the Devas, seated on the back of
Garuda. He drew out the crocodile, cut off its head with the
chakta and thus saved the Elephant King.
The Elephant was a Gandharva, named Huhu. He was play-
ing with his wives in a tank. Rishi Devala went there to bathe.
The Gandharva drew the Rishi himself by his feet. The Rishi
cursed him to become a crocodile. The elephant was king Indra-
dyumna of Pandya. He was under a vow of silence while engaged
in meditation. Rishi Agastya came with his disciples, but the king
could not receive him with any word of welcome. " O thou of un-
trained intellect like an elephant, be an elephant thyself." Such was
the curse of the Rishi to him.
[[167]]
p166 _
-chap- _
toc-1 _
p167w _
toc-2 _
+chap+ _
p168
v?