e of the hurling of the Samya: What was
the state of thy mind then?[836] I do not now behold that golden jar of
thine, nor that umbrella of thine, nor those fans. I behold not also, O
king of the Asuras, that garland of thine which was given to thee by the
Grandsire.'

"'"Vali said, 'Thou seest not now, O Vasava, my jar and umbrella and fans.
Thou seest not also my garland, that gift of the Grandsire. Those
precious possessions of mine about which thou askest are now buried in
the darkness of a cave. When my time comes again, thou wilt surely behold
them again. This conduct of thine, however, does not become thy fame or
birth. Thyself in prosperity, thou desirest to mock me that am sunk in
adversity. They that have acquired wisdom, and have won contentment
therefrom, they that are of tranquil souls, that are virtuous and good
among creatures, never grieve in misery nor rejoice in happiness. Led,
however, by a vulgar intelligence, thou indulgest in brag, O Purandara!
When thou shalt become like me thou shalt not then indulge in speeches
like these.'"'"

SECTION CCXXIV

"'Bhishma said, "Once more, laughing at Vali who was sighing like a snake,
Sakra addressed him for saying something more pointed than what had said
before.[837]

"'"Sakra said, 'Formerly, attended by a train consisting of thousands of
vehicles and kinsmen, thou usedst to make thy progresses, scorching all
the worlds with thy splendour and regarding us as nought. Thou art now,
however, deserted by both kinsmen and friends. Beholding this miserable
plight that has overtaken thee, dost thou or dost thou not indulge in
grief? Formerly, all the worlds were under thy sway and great was thy
joy. I ask, dost thou or dost thou not indulge in grief now, for this
fall of thine in respect of external splendour?'

"'"Vali said, 'Considering all this to be transitory,--due, indeed, to the
course of time,--I do not, O Sakra, indulge in grief. These things have
an end. These bodies that creatures have, O chief of celestials, are all
transitory. For that reason, O Sakra, I do not grieve (for this asinine
form of mine). Nor is this form due to any fault of mine. The animating
principle and the body come into existence together, in consequence of
their own nature. They grow together, and meet with destruction together.
Having obtained this form of existence I have not been permanently
enslaved by it. Since I know this, I have no cause for sorrow in
consequence of t