celestial beings
along the sky, is known by the name of Samvaha. The fourth in the
enumeration, it is endued with great strength so that it is capable of
ending the very mountains. The fifth wind is fraught with great force and
speed. It is dry and uproots and breaks down all trees. Existing with it,
the clouds come to be called by the name of Valahaka. That wind causes
calamitous phenomena of many kinds, and produces roaring sounds in the
firmament. It is known by the name of Vivaha. The sixth wind bears all
celestial waters in the firmament and prevents them from falling down.
Sustaining the sacred waters of the celestial Ganga, that wind blows,
preventing them from having a downward course. Obstructed by that wind
from a distance, the Sun, which is really the source of a thousand rays,
and which enlightens the world, appears as a luminous body of but one
ray. Through the action of that wind, the Moon, after waning, wanes again
till he displays his full disc. That wind is known, O foremost of
ascetics, by the name Parivaha.[1754] That wind which takes away the life
of all living creatures when the proper hour comes, whose track is
followed by Death and Surya's son Yama, which becomes the source of that
immortality which is attained by Yogins of subtile sight who are always
engaged in Yoga meditation, by whose aid the thousands of grandsons of
Daksha, that lord of creatures, by his ten sons, succeeded in days of old
in attaining to the ends of the universe, whose touch enables one to
attain to Emancipation by freeing oneself from the obligation of
returning so the world,--that wind is called by the name of Paravaha. The
foremost of all winds, it is incapable of being resisted by anybody.
Wonderful are these winds all of whom are the sons of Diti. Capable of
going everywhere and upholding all things, they blow all around thee
without being attached to thee at any time. This, however, is exceedingly
wonderful viz., that this foremost of mountains should thus be suddenly
shaken by that wind which has begun to blow. This wind is the breath of
Vishnu's nostrils. When urged forth with speed, it begins to blow with
great force at which the whole universe becomes agitated. Hence, when the
wind begins to blow with violence, persons conversant with the Vedas do
not recite the Vedas. The Vedas are a form of wind. If uttered with
force, the external wind becomes tortured.'
"'"Having said these words, the puissant son of Parasara b
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