CHAPTER XLII.
SPIRITUALITY OF PRAHLÁDA.
Argument. The merit of hearing the narrative of Vishnu, and the cause of Prahláda’s awaking from his trance.
Vasishtha continued:—The lotus-eyed Hari, having said thus much to Prahláda, departed with the whole concourse of the assembled gods, Kinnaras and men, from the abode of the Asura.
2. Then did Prahláda and his associates throw handfuls of flowers on the departing god, as he was mounted on the back of the king of birds (Garuda—the eagle or bird of heaven).
3. The god crossed the heavenly Ganges and reached at the milky ocean, where he took his serpent couch as the black bee sits on the lotus-leaf.
4. The God Vishnu sat on his serpent seat with as much ease, as Indra sits in heaven in the assembly of the gods; and as the lord of the demons, was made to sit in the infernal region wholly devoid of all his cares.
5. I have now related to you, Ráma! the whole narrative of Prahláda’s coming to his sense, from the state of his insensibility; and this account is as charming to the holy hearer, as the cooling moon-beams are refreshing to the tired traveller.
6. The man that ponders in his mind, the manner of Prahláda’s resuscitation to life; is regenerated in that felicitous state, from the sinfulness of his former condition.
7. A cursory rehearsal of his narration, wipes off the sins of men; while the deep consideration of its spiritual sense, leads one to his eternal salvation.
8. The ignorant are released from their ignorance, and the deep thinker is released from his sins; therefore do not neglect to ponder well on it, for the remission of all your sins.