1842.] An abstract Translation from the Pudma Pooran. 1113 



Mareecliee had a son, named Kaseapah, who took unto him four wives, 

 ailed Aditi,* Diti, Kurdooma and Venata. The first brought forth Indra 

 and thirty-three krore of deotas. The second brought forth giants, (or Asoo- 

 ras) named Somak-asoor, or Hayagreeva, (meaning horse-face or centaur,) 

 Jumbah, Miah, &c. The third wife brought forth serpents ; viz. Adeeshaha 

 or Ununta, (the 1000-mouthed serpent,) Tukshaka, Vasookee, Karkotaka, 

 Padoomah, Maha Padoomah, Sunka, &c. The fourth wife bore two sons ; 

 viz. Arroon and Garrooda. 



It came to pass that Somak-asoor, (the centaur,) rebelled against Brah- 

 ma, and having come to Suttya-locum, forcibly carried away the four 

 Vedas, and plunged with them into the sea. Owing to this loss darkness 

 and confusion overshadowed the earth. Then Bramah arose, and assem- 

 bling all the deities, proceeded to Tsherabdee, or the milky sea, where he 

 offered up prayers and supplications to Vishnoo, that he would cause the 

 Vedas to be restored. The deity rising from the milky ocean, promised to 

 accede to their wishes. He immediately assumed the form of a large alliga- 

 tor and plunged into the depths of the ocean, where having killed Somak- 

 asoor, he returned and delivered the four Vedas to Brahma. 



2nd Incarnation or Koorma Avatar. 



Uttre (the 3rd of the Prujaputtee) had a son named Doorvasa who, hav- 

 ing performed his devotions for one year at Maha Meroo, ascended to 

 heaven (Swurga-locum,) and blessing Indra, presented to him a garland of 

 flowers called Parejatum. The deity having benignantly accepted the 

 offering, placed it on the head of the white elephant called Iravut, who 

 took it off his head with his trunk and trod it under his feet. Doorvasa 

 at this sight became very wrath, and he cursed Indra and all rich people, 

 because they regarded not the offerings of the poor. In consequence of 

 this imprecation, poverty fell upon Indra and his court. The sky with- 

 held its rain, and famine and pestilence stalked abroad. 



Then Indra and all the deotas went to Brahma, the four-headed god, 

 and beseeched him that he would take pity on their miserable condition. 

 Brahma replied, that it was not in his power to assist them, but that he 

 should be happy to accompany them to Vishnoo. The party accordingly 

 proceeded to the sea of milk, and invoked Vishnoo, who hearing their 

 supplications, appeared before them with four hands, and riding on the 

 back of Garooda. He said, " The nature of your appeal is known to me, go 



* Daughter of Duksha. 



