31. The body of bees thronging all about its person, gave it the appearance of the thousand eyed Indra, with whom it vied in the greater number of its eyes.
32. It had a tuft of flowers on some part of its head, appearing as the hood of a snake decorated with gems, and seeming as the infernal serpent had mounted its top with his crowned head, in order to survey the wonders of heaven.
33. Besmeared with the pollen of its flowers, it appeared as the god Siva anointed with his powdered ashes; while its shady bowers overhung with luscious fruits, refreshed the passing travellers with rest and repast.
34. The kadamba arbour appeared as the garden of paradise, having alcoves under its thickening boughs, and grottos formed by the flowery creepers below it; while the birds of heaven hovered about it as its perpetual inhabitants.
CHAPTER L.
DÁSÚRA’S SURVEY OF THE HEAVENS.
Argument. Dásúra surveys all the sky from his seat on the Kadamba tree.
Vasishtha continued:—Dásúra remained in this flowery arbour, as if he dwelt on a hill of flowers; and he felt in his mind the delight, which the flowery spring and its fruitage could infuse in the heart.
2. He mounted and sat over the high and airy top of the tree, and looked on all sides like the god Vishnu surveying the worlds.
3. There sitting on a branch which reached to the sky, he was employed in his devotion, devoid of fear and desire.
4. From this his leafy and easy couch of repose, he cast his curious eyes to view the wonders of nature on all sides.