d Kaitabha, not finding
the person from whom those sounds proceeded, quickly came back to that
spot. They cast their eyes around but beheld that the spot on which they
had thrown the Vedas was empty. Those two foremost of mighty Beings,
adopting great speed of motion, rose from the nether region. Returning to
where the primeval Lotus was that had given them birth, they saw the
puissant Being, the original Creator, staying in the form of Aniruddha of
fair complexion and endued with a splendour resembling that of the Moon.
Of immeasurable prowess, he was under the influence of Yoga-sleep, his
body stretched on the waters and occupying a space as vast as itself.
Possessed of great effulgence and endued with the attribute of stainless
Sattwa, the body of the Supreme Lord lay on the excellent hood of a snake
that seemed to emit flames of fire for the resplendence attaching to it.
Beholding the Lord thus lying, the two foremost of Danavas roared out a
loud laugh. Endued with the attributes of Rajas and Tamas, they
said.--"This is that Being of white complexion. He is now lying asleep.
Without doubt, this one has brought the Vedas away from the nether
region. Whose is he? Whose is he? Who is he? Why is he thus asleep on the
hood of a snake?" Uttering these words, the two Danavas awakened Hari from
his Yoga-slumber. The foremost of Beings, (viz., Narayana), thus
awakened, understood that the two Danavas intended to have an encounter
with him in battle. Beholding the two foremost of Asuras prepared to do
battle with him, he also set his mind to gratify that desire of theirs.
Thereupon an encounter took place between those two on one side and
Narayana on the other. The Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha were embodiments of
the attributes of Rajas and Tamas. Narayana slew them both for gratifying
Brahma. He thence came to be called by the name of Madhusudana (slayer of
Madhu). Having compassed the destruction of the two Asuras and restored
the Vedas to Brahma, the Supreme Being dispelled the grief of Brahma.
Aided then by Hari and assisted by the Vedas, Brahma created all the
worlds with their mobile and immobile creatures. After this, Hari,
granting unto the Grandsire intelligence of the foremost order relating
to the Creation, disappeared there and then for going to the place he had
come from. It was thus that Narayana, having assumed the form equipt with
the horse-head, slew the two Danavas Madhu and Kaitabha (and disappeared
from the sig