In consequence of this, the deities are
being aggrandised, and we are being weakened. It behoveth thee,
therefore, to prevail upon him that he may take up our cause. Thus
addressed by them, the mother of Viswarupa repaired to her son who was
then staying in the Nandana woods (of Indra) and said unto him,--How is
it, O son, that thou art engaged in aggrandising the cause of thy foes
and weakening that of thy maternal uncles? It behoveth thee not to act in
this way.--Viswarupa, thus solicited by his mother, thought that he
should not disobey her words, and as the consequence of that reflection
he went over to the side of Hiranyakasipu, after having paid proper
respects to his mother. King Hiranyakasipu, upon the arrival of Trisiras,
dismissed his old Hotri, viz., Vasishtha, the son of Brahma, and
appointed Trisiras to that office. Incensed at this, Vasishtha cursed
Hiranyakasipu, saying,--Since thou dismissest me and appointest another
person as thy Hotri, this sacrifice of thine shall not be completed, and
some Being the like of whom has not existed before will slay thee!--In
consequence of this curse, Hiranyakasipu was slain by Vishnu in the form
of a man-lion, Viswarupa, having adopted the side of his maternal
relations, employed himself in severe austerities for aggrandising them.
Impelled by the desire of causing him to swerve from his vows, Indra
despatched to him many beautiful Apsaras. Beholding those celestial
nymphs of transcendent beauty, the heart of Viswarupa became agitated.
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