stroyed has
been before destroyed. A thing that is acquired by a person is that which
is already arrived and intended for his acquisition. This Time is like an
ocean. There is no island in it. Where, indeed, is its other shore? Its
boundary cannot be seen. Reflecting even deeply, I do not behold the end
of this continuous stream that is the great ordainer of all things and
that is certainly celestial. If I did not understand that it is Time that
destroys all creatures, then, perhaps, I would have felt the emotions of
joy and pride and wrath, O lord of Sachi! Hast thou come here to condemn
me, having ascertained that I am now bearing the form of an ass that
subsists upon chaff and that is now passing his days in a lonely spot
remote from the habitations of men? If I wish, even now I can assume
various awful forms beholding any one of which thou wouldst beat a hasty
retreat from my presence. It is Time that gives everything and again
takes away everything. It is Time that ordains all things. Do not, O
Sakra, brag of thy manliness. Formerly, O Purandara, on occasions of my
wrath everything used to become agitated. I am acquainted, however, O
Sakra, with the eternal attributes of all things in the world. Do thou
also know the truth. Do not suffer thyself to be filled with wonder.
Affluence and its origin are not under one's control. Thy mind seems to
be like that of a child. It is the same as it was before. Open thy eyes,
O Maghavat, and adopt an understanding established on certitude and
truth. The gods, men, the Pitris, the Gandharvas, the snakes, and the
Rakshasas, were all under my sway in days gone by. Thou knowest this, O
Vasava! Their understandings stupefied by ignorance, all creatures used
to flatter me, saying, "Salutations to that point of the compass whither
Virochana's son Vali may now be staying!" O lord of Sachi, I do not at
all grieve when I think of that honour (which is no longer paid to me). I
feel no sorrow for this fall of mine. My understanding is firm in this
respect, viz., that I will live obedient to the sway of the Ordainer. It
is seen that some one of noble birth, possessed of handsome features, and
endued with great prowess, lives in misery, with all his counsellors and
friends. This happens because of its having been ordained.[839]
Similarly, some one born in an ignoble race, devoid of knowledge, and
with even a stain on his birth, is seen, O Sakra, to live in happiness
with all his counsellors an