And amongst the sons of Diti and of Danu, cast out of
heaven, some were born on the earth as kings of great pride and insolence.
Possessed of great energy, they covered the earth in various shapes.
Capable of oppressing all foes, they filled the earth having the ocean for
its boundaries. And by their strength they began to oppress Brahmanas and
Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras and all other creatures also. Terrifying
and killing all creatures, they traversed the earth, O king, in bands of
hundreds and thousands. Devoid of truth and virtue, proud of their
strength, and intoxicated with (the wine of) insolence, they even insulted
the great Rishis in their hermitages.
"And the earth, thus oppressed by the mighty Asuras endued with great
strength and energy and possessed of abundant means, began to think of
waiting on Brahman. The united strength of the creatures (such as Sesha,
the Tortoise, and the huge Elephant), and of many Seshas too, became
capable of supporting the earth with her mountains, burdened as she was
with the weight of the Danavas. And then, O king, the earth, oppressed
with weight and afflicted with fear, sought the protection of the
Grandsire of all creatures. And she beheld the divine Brahman--the Creator
of the worlds who knoweth no deterioration--surrounded by the gods,
Brahmanas, and great Rishis, of exceeding good fortune, and adored by
delighted Gandharvas and Apsaras always engaged in the service of the
celestials.
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