Bhagavad-Yana Parva — The search of bridegroom by Matali

Kanya said While Matali was proceeding on his way he came across the great Rishi Narada who was proceeding, of his own will, to see Varuna.

Narada said Where are you about to go? Is it, O charioteer, on your own account or by the command of Shatakratu (Indra)?

Kanva said Matali, being thus asked by Narada, who was going on the same road, told Narada all about his business and how it had happened (that he was going there).

Then the Muni said to him, "We both shall go together." To see the god of the waters I too come down heaven.

While showing you the nether regions of the earth, I shall describe to you everything; and after a search there we shall select some bridegroom, O Matali.

Then going down to the nether region, the two, Matali and Narada of large souls, paid their respects to the ruler of the word, the lord of the waters.

There that Narada received greetings suitable for a divine Rishi and Matali received what is generally offered to the great Indra.

These two, with their minds pleased and having business in hand, submitted everything to their host and with the permission of Varuna roamed about in the world of the Nagas.

Narada, who knew everything about all the creatures living in the nether regions, described them in detail to his companion.

Narada said Varuna, surrounded by his sons and grandsons, has been seen by you o Suta. Behold now the territories of the lord of the waters which are excellent in every respect and full of riches.

This one is the son, of great wisdom, of Varuna the lord of the seas; he is specially famous for his holiness, his conduct and his ways of life.

This is his dear son, Pushkara of eyes like lotus leaves. He is endued with beauty, is worth looking at and has been selected by the daughter of Soma as her husband.

She (the daughter of Soma) is known as Jyotsnakali who has been said to be second Lakshmi or Sri in point of beauty; and she, it is within our recollection, had chosen the eldest son of Aditi as her husband (before this).

Behold this mansion of Varuna which is inade entirely of gold and attaining to which the gods have obtained their god-ship ( you friend of the lord of the gods.

These weapons of all kinds, which are now visible and which are blazing, were once in the possession of the Daityas, whose territories have been wrested from them (by Varuna), O Matali.

These undergo no waste, O Matali and return to the hand of those who hurl them after striking the enemy. Obtained as they are by the gods who have won victories over the Daityas, they can be used only by men of great mental energy.

Here many species of Rakshasas and Daityas, O Matali, possessed of celestial weapons lived before, O Matali, which is now inhabited by the gods.

There are the fire of blazing flame which is burning in the lake of Varuna and the discus of Vishnu surrounded by the fire and smoke.

This is the bow, full of knots, which was created for the destruction of the world; it is ever looked after by the gods and from this the name of the Gandiva bow is derived.

This bow, at the approach of the proper time of action, is endued as it is with the strength of a hundred thousand bows, inspired with still greater strength.

It brings under subjugation those kings who are friendly to the Rakshasas, though they are incapable of being reduced to that condition. This terrible weapon was created first by the Brahmana who created in speech the Vedas.

This weapon, in its work among the kings, has been pronounced to be the great by Shakra and the son of the lord of the waters hold this weapon of great energy.

This thing, placed in the umbrella room, is the umbrella of the lord of the waters and always showers cold water like the clouds.

The water, falling from this umbrella, is pure as the moon and yet is surrounded by such darkness that it cannot be grasped by the sight.

In these regions, O Matali, there are many things to be seen, but owing to the pressing demands of your business we shall go away from here without delay.