2023-09-10 12:46:04 by ambuda-bot
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Introduction
XXXIX
The auspicious marks on the inner part of the soles May the lines
in the form of the disc, fish, etc. on the soles of the feet of Vișnu (who is
characterised carrying the disc in his hand), venerated by the gods, bestow
every kind of prosperity upon us. They resemble the soft and most beautiful
looking silk threads, being noble, delicate and well-shaped (obvious). They
are massaged by Lakṣmī, born of the ocean, with her hands as delicate as
tender leaves.[11]56
The feet When Vișnu's one leg transcended heaven, it acted as a flagstaff
made of emerald stone (Garudamani), and the vivid celestial River Ganga
flowing out of it shone like a beautiful flag on it; the other one, placed on
earth, looked like a great pillar supporting the house of the worlds. Let
these feet of the lotus-eyed Vișnu, whose soles are as beautiful as the inner
part of the lotus, protect us.[12]57
I bow to the two rising lotus-feet, with red inner parts, of Vișnu, that
bestow plenty of wealth. They, while encroaching the three worlds, the
earth, the sky and the heaven, made Bali and Indra, the leaders of the
demons and gods, simultaneously attain the extreme states of disaster and
prosperity. [13]
The fourth caste was born first out of these venerable lotus-feet of Visnu.
At the time of the first creation of the people, their number is clearly said to
have been one thousand in all the scriptures (Vedas). The whole earth was
covered by them, when the Lord assumed the form of Virāṭ (the Universe),
with his cosmic body stretched all over. Salutations are to be offered always
to those Great ones, the feet of the Lord.[14]
The toes The petal-like toes shine forth in the feet of Visnu, like the
petals of lotuses adorned with drops of water and mist, glittering with
56 The marks in the soles of the feet are described according to palmistry or
sāmudrikaśāstra. The marks are listed in the commentary, quoting some lines as ap-
plied to an overlord. The massaging of the feet, one of the royal services, is done by the
Goddess Lakṣmi. Here, her hands are implicitly compared to the lotuses by describing
them as being accompanied by a host of bees.
57 The next three verses describe the lotus-like feet of Vișnu. Allusion is made in the first
two verses to the Trivikrama incarnation, in which the Lord measured the three worlds
with his three steps, and the third sent the demon Bali to the underworld, and established
Indra in heaven. The first step raised up to heaven is described. The celestial River Ganga
is conceived as the flag flowing across the feet, and the raised leg is conceived as flagstaff
made of emerald stone. The second step laid on earth is conceived as the great pillar
supporting the three worlds like a building. Verse No. 14 recapitulates the description in
the Purusasūkta of the Viratpuruṣa.
XXXIX
The auspicious marks on the inner part of the soles May the lines
in the form of the disc, fish, etc. on the soles of the feet of Vișnu (who is
characterised carrying the disc in his hand), venerated by the gods, bestow
every kind of prosperity upon us. They resemble the soft and most beautiful
looking silk threads, being noble, delicate and well-shaped (obvious). They
are massaged by Lakṣmī, born of the ocean, with her hands as delicate as
tender leaves.[11]56
The feet When Vișnu's one leg transcended heaven, it acted as a flagstaff
made of emerald stone (Garudamani), and the vivid celestial River Ganga
flowing out of it shone like a beautiful flag on it; the other one, placed on
earth, looked like a great pillar supporting the house of the worlds. Let
these feet of the lotus-eyed Vișnu, whose soles are as beautiful as the inner
part of the lotus, protect us.[12]57
I bow to the two rising lotus-feet, with red inner parts, of Vișnu, that
bestow plenty of wealth. They, while encroaching the three worlds, the
earth, the sky and the heaven, made Bali and Indra, the leaders of the
demons and gods, simultaneously attain the extreme states of disaster and
prosperity. [13]
The fourth caste was born first out of these venerable lotus-feet of Visnu.
At the time of the first creation of the people, their number is clearly said to
have been one thousand in all the scriptures (Vedas). The whole earth was
covered by them, when the Lord assumed the form of Virāṭ (the Universe),
with his cosmic body stretched all over. Salutations are to be offered always
to those Great ones, the feet of the Lord.[14]
The toes The petal-like toes shine forth in the feet of Visnu, like the
petals of lotuses adorned with drops of water and mist, glittering with
56 The marks in the soles of the feet are described according to palmistry or
sāmudrikaśāstra. The marks are listed in the commentary, quoting some lines as ap-
plied to an overlord. The massaging of the feet, one of the royal services, is done by the
Goddess Lakṣmi. Here, her hands are implicitly compared to the lotuses by describing
them as being accompanied by a host of bees.
57 The next three verses describe the lotus-like feet of Vișnu. Allusion is made in the first
two verses to the Trivikrama incarnation, in which the Lord measured the three worlds
with his three steps, and the third sent the demon Bali to the underworld, and established
Indra in heaven. The first step raised up to heaven is described. The celestial River Ganga
is conceived as the flag flowing across the feet, and the raised leg is conceived as flagstaff
made of emerald stone. The second step laid on earth is conceived as the great pillar
supporting the three worlds like a building. Verse No. 14 recapitulates the description in
the Purusasūkta of the Viratpuruṣa.