Book III

, Canto LI.

764 Daśaratha’s rash oath and fatal promise to his wife Kaikeyí.

765 Vritra, “the coverer, hider, obstructer (of rain)” is the name of the Vedic personification of an imaginary malignant influence or demon of darkness and drought supposed to take possession of the clouds, causing them to obstruct the clearness of the sky and keep back the waters. Indra is represented as battling with this evil influence, and the pent-up clouds being practically represented as mountains or castles are shattered by his thunderbolt and made to open their receptacles.

766 Frequent mention has been made of the three steps of Vishṇu typifying the rising, culmination, and setting of the sun.

767 For the _Churning of the Sea_, see