e. Indeed, she had dwelt in
thousands of Indras before thee, all of whom, again, were very much
superior to thee. Unstable as she is, deserting me she hath now
approached thee, O chief of the deities! Do not, O Sakra, indulge in such
brag again. It behoveth thee to become tranquil. Knowing thee to be full
of vanity, she will very soon desert thee.'"'"

SECTION CCXXV

"'Bhishma said, "After this, he of hundred sacrifices beheld the goddess
of Prosperity, in her own embodied form that blazed splendour, issue out
of the form of the high-souled Vali. The illustrious chastiser of Paka,
beholding the goddess blazing with radiance, addressed Vali in these
words, with eyes expanded in wonder.

"'"Sakra said, 'O Vali, who is this one, thus shining with splendour, thus
decked with head plumes, thus adorned with golden bracelets on her upper
arms, and thus emitting a halo of glory on all sides in consequence of
her energy that is issuing out of thy body.'

"'"Vali said, 'I do not know whether she is an Asura damsel or a celestial
one or a human one. Thou mayst not ask her thyself. Do what pleases thee.'

"'"Sakra said, 'O thou of sweet smiles, who art thou that art possessed of
such radiance and adorned with plumes that thus issuest from the body of
Vali? I do not know thee. Kindly tell me thy name. Who, indeed, art thou
that thus standest here as Maya herself, blazing with thy own splendour,
after having deserted the lord of the Daityas? O, tell me this as I
question thee.'

"'"Sree said, 'Virochana did not know me. This Vali also that is the son of
Virochana knows me not. The learned called me by the name of
Duhshaha.[844] Some knew me by the name of Vidhitsa.[845] I have other
names also, O Vasava! They are Bhuti, Lakshmi, and Sree.[846] Thou
knowest me not, O Sakra, nor doth any one among the deities know me.'

"'"Sakra said, 'O lady that is difficult of being borne, why do you desert
Vali now after having lived in him for a long time? Is it due to any act
of mine or is it due to any act that Vali has done?'

"'"Sree said, 'Neither the Creator nor the Ordainer rules me. It is Time
that moves me from one place to another. Do not, O Sakra, disregard Vali.'

"'"Sakra said, 'For what reason, O goddess adorned with plumes, do you
desert Vali? Why also do you approach me (for living in me)? Tell me
this, O thou of sweet smiles!'

"'"Sree said, 'I live in truth, in gifts, in good vows, in penances, in
prowess, and in v