e name of Padmanabha or Padma. Walking in the
triple path (of acts, knowledge, and adoration) he gratifies all
creatures in thought, word, and deed. Reflecting upon all things with
great care, he protects the righteous and chastises the wicked by
adopting the quadruple policy of conciliation, provoking dissensions,
making gifts or bribes, and using force. Repairing thither, thou shouldst
put to him the questions thou wishest. He will show thee truly what the
highest religion is. That Naga is always fond of guests. Endued with
great intelligence, he is well conversant with the scriptures. He is
possessed of all desirable virtues the like of which are not to be
noticed in any other person. By disposition he is always observant of
those duties which are performed with or in water.[1930] He is devoted to
the study of the Vedas. He is endued with penances and self-restraint. He
has great wealth. He performs sacrifice, makes gifts, abstains from
inflicting injury and practises forgiveness. His conduct in all respects
is excellent. Truthful in speech and freed from malice, his behaviour is
good and his senses are under proper control. He eats after feeding all
his guests and attendants. He is kind of speech. He has knowledge of what
is beneficial and what is simple and right and what is censurable. He
takes stock of what he does and what he leaves undone. He never acts with
hostility towards any one. He is always engaged in doing what is
beneficial to all creatures. He belongs to a family that is as pure and
stainless as the water of a lake in the midst of the Ganges.'"'"

SECTION CCCLVI

"'"The host replied, 'I have heard these words of thine, that are so
consoling, with as much gratification as is felt by a person heavily
loaded when that load is taken off his head or shoulders. The
gratification that a traveller who has made a long journey on foot feels
when he lies down on a bed, that which a person feels when he finds a
seat after having stood for a long while for want of room, or that which
is felt by a thirsty person when he finds a glass of cool water, or that
which is felt by a hungry man when he finds savoury food set before him,
or that which a guest feels when a dish of desirable food is placed
before him at the proper time, or that which is felt by an old man when
after long coveting he gets a son, or that which is experienced by one
when meeting with a dear friend or relative about whom one had become
exceed