CHAPTER CV.
The breaking of the magic spell.
Argument. Inquiry of the courtiers into the cause of the king’s apoplexy, and his answer thereto.
Vasishtha continued:—After a couple of hours the king returned to his senses, like the lotus flower resuming its beauty, after the mists of the rainy weather are over.
2. He shook his body decorated with ornaments upon his seat; as a mountain shakes with its peaks and woods at an earthquake.
3. His seat also shook under him as he came to his sense and moved his body, just as the seat of Siva on the Kailása mountain, is shaken by the movement of the infernal elephant.
4. As he was about to fall down from the horseback, he was held up by and supported upon the arms of his attendants; as the mount Meru is kept from falling, by the hills at its feet and sides.
5. The attendants bore the prince, in the deranged state of his mind upon their arms; as the still waters of the sea bear the figure of the moon that is disturbed by the waves.
6. The king asked them softly saying, what place was it and whose court it was; as the bee shut up in the flower cup of the lotus, asked it when it is about to sink in the water saying:—Ah! where am I, and where am I going?
7. The Courtiers then respectfully asked the king, what was the matter with him; with a voice as sweet as the lotus utters to the sun when he is eclipsed by Ráhu.
8. The attendants also with all the ministerial officers, asked him about his case; as the gods terrified at the great deluge, asked the sage Márkandeya concerning the occurrence.