[1113] And once, O foremost of men, she passed
twice ten thousand years, living upon air only as her sustenance. Once
again, O monarch, she observed the excellent vow of silence for eight
thousand years, passing the whole time in water. Then that maiden, O best
of kings, went to the river Kausiki. There she began to pass her days in
the observance of another vow, living the while upon only water and air.
After this, O monarch, the blessed maiden proceeded to the Ganges and
thence to the mountains of Meru. Moved by the desire of doing good to all
living creatures, she stood perfectly motionless there like a piece of
wood. Proceeding thence to the summit of Himavat where the deities had
performed their great sacrifice, she stood there for another hundred
billions of years, supporting her weight upon only the toes of her feet
with the object of gratifying the Grandsire with such an act of
austerity. Wending thither, the Creator and Destroyer of the universe
again addressed her saying, 'Upon what art thou engaged, O daughter?
Accomplish those words of mine.' Addressing the divine Grandsire, the
maiden once more said, 'I am unable to cut off living creatures, O god! I
seek to gratify thee (so that I may be excused of this behest).'
Frightened at the prospect of demerit she prayed the Grandsire for being
excused of obedience to his command, the Grandsire silenced her, and once
more addressed her, saying, 'No demerit will accrue, O Death! Do thou, O
auspicious maiden, set thyself to the task of destroying living
creatures.
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