4. And how is that fortitude which thou pointest out for my imitation, from the instance of Bhíma and Bhása, in order to get rid from all earthly sorrow?
5. Kindly relate the whole, and enlighten me with thy purifying words, as the roaring of the rainy clouds, serves to alleviate the summer heat of peacocks.
6. Vasishtha replied:—Hear me Ráma! relate to you both these anecdotes, that you may derive the benefit of aping according the same.
7. There lived one Sambara—the chief of demons, and a profound sorcerer in a subterraneous cell, filled with enchanting wonders like a sea of gems.
8. He constructed a magic city in the sky, with gardens and temples of gods in it; and artificial suns and moons emblazoning its vault.
9. It was beset with rich stones, resembling the gems of the Sumeru mountain; and the palace of the demon was full with opulence and treasures of every kind.
10. The beauties in his seraglio, vied with the celestial dames in their charming strains; and the arbors of his pleasure garden, were shaded by an awning of bright moon-beams on high.
11. The blue lotuses blooming in his bed room, put to blush the blue eyed maids of his court; and the gemming swans in the lakes, cackled about the beds of golden lotuses in them.
12. The high branches of aureate plants, bore the blossoms of artificial lotuses on them; and the rows of Karanga arbours dropped down showers of mandára flowers on the ground.
13. His garden-house consisted both of cold and hot baths, and refrigeratories and fire-places for the hot and cold seasons; and the tarku (?) weapons of the demons, had baffled the arms of Indra himself.