The Glory of the Trees

Verse 1 (skanda.6.252.1)

शूद्र उवाच । महदाश्चर्यमेतद्धि यत्सुरा वृक्षरूपिणः । चातुर्मास्ये समायाते सर्ववृक्षनिवासिनः

śūdra uvāca mahadāścaryametaddhi yatsurā vṛkṣarūpiṇaḥ cāturmāsye samāyāte sarvavṛkṣanivāsinaḥ

The Shudra said: This indeed is a great wonder, that the gods take the form of trees; when Chaturmasya arrives, they dwell in all the trees.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.252.2)

भगवन्के सुरास्ते तु केषुकेषु निवासिनः । एतद्विस्तरतो ब्रूहि ममानुग्रहकाम्यया

bhagavanke surāste tu keṣukeṣu nivāsinaḥ etadvistarato brūhi mamānugrahakāmyayā

O Lord, which gods are they, and in which trees do they dwell? Tell me this in detail, out of a wish to favour me.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.252.3)

गालव उवाच । अमृतं जलमित्याहुश्चातुर्मास्ये तदिच्छया । लीलया विधृतं देवैः पिबंति द्रुमदेवताः

gālava uvāca amṛtaṁ jalamityāhuścāturmāsye tadicchayā līlayā vidhṛtaṁ devaiḥ pibaṁti drumadevatāḥ

Galava said: During Chaturmasya, water is called nectar; held there as if in play, by the wish of the gods, the tree-deities drink it.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.252.4)

तस्य पानान्महातृप्तिर्जायते नाऽत्र संशयः । बलं तेजश्च कांतिश्च सौष्ठवं लघुविक्रमः

tasya pānānmahātṛptirjāyate nā'tra saṁśayaḥ balaṁ tejaśca kāṁtiśca sauṣṭhavaṁ laghuvikramaḥ

From drinking it, great satisfaction arises — there is no doubt of this — strength, splendour, beauty, excellence, and swift prowess —

Verse 5 (skanda.6.252.5)

गुणा एते प्रजायन्ते पानात्कृष्णांशसंभवात् । नित्यामृतस्यपानेन बलं स्वल्पं प्रजायते

guṇā ete prajāyante pānātkṛṣṇāṁśasaṁbhavāt nityāmṛtasyapānena balaṁ svalpaṁ prajāyate

these qualities arise from that drink, born of a portion of Krishna. Yet by the constant drinking of nectar alone, only slight strength arises,

Verse 6 (skanda.6.252.6)

भोजनं तत्प्रशंसंति नित्यमेतन्न संशयः । तस्माच्चतुर्षु मासेषु पिबन्ति जलमेव हि

bhojanaṁ tatpraśaṁsaṁti nityametanna saṁśayaḥ tasmāccaturṣu māseṣu pibanti jalameva hi

therefore they constantly praise it as food — there is no doubt of this. Hence, during the four months, they drink only water.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.252.7)

वृक्षस्थाः पितरो देवाः प्राणिनां हितकाम्यया । वृक्षाणां सेवनं श्रेष्ठं सर्वमासेषु सर्वदा

vṛkṣasthāḥ pitaro devāḥ prāṇināṁ hitakāmyayā vṛkṣāṇāṁ sevanaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ sarvamāseṣu sarvadā

The ancestors and the gods dwell in the trees out of a wish for the welfare of living beings. The service of trees is excellent in every month, always,

Verse 8 (skanda.6.252.8)

चातुर्मास्ये विशेषेण सेविताः सौख्यकारकाः । तिलोदकेन वृक्षाणां सेचनं सर्वकामदम्

cāturmāsye viśeṣeṇa sevitāḥ saukhyakārakāḥ tilodakena vṛkṣāṇāṁ secanaṁ sarvakāmadam

and especially during Chaturmasya, when served, they bring happiness. Watering the trees with sesame-water grants every desire.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.252.9)

क्षीरवृक्षाः क्षीरयुक्तैस्तोयैः सिक्ताः शुभप्रदाः । चतुष्टयं च वृक्षाणां यच्चोक्तं पूर्वतो मया

kṣīravṛkṣāḥ kṣīrayuktaistoyaiḥ siktāḥ śubhapradāḥ catuṣṭayaṁ ca vṛkṣāṇāṁ yaccoktaṁ pūrvato mayā

The milk-bearing trees, when watered with milk-mixed water, become bestowers of auspiciousness. And that group of four trees which I told you of before —

Verse 10 (skanda.6.252.10)

चातुर्मास्ये विशेषेण सर्वकामफलप्रदम् । ब्रह्मा तु वटमाश्रित्य प्राणिनां स वरप्रदः

cāturmāsye viśeṣeṇa sarvakāmaphalapradam brahmā tu vaṭamāśritya prāṇināṁ sa varapradaḥ

especially during Chaturmasya, it grants the fruit of every desire. Brahma, taking refuge in the banyan, becomes a bestower of boons upon living beings.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.252.11)

सावित्रीं तिलमास्थाय पवित्रं श्वेतभूषणम् । सुप्ते देवे विशेषेण तिलसेवा महाफला

sāvitrīṁ tilamāsthāya pavitraṁ śvetabhūṣaṇam supte deve viśeṣeṇa tilasevā mahāphalā

Savitri dwells in the sesame plant, pure and adorned with white. During the god's sleep, the service of sesame is especially of great merit.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.252.12)

तिलाः पवित्रमतुलं तिला धर्मार्थसाधकाः । तिला मोक्षप्रदाश्चैव तिलाः पापापहारिणः

tilāḥ pavitramatulaṁ tilā dharmārthasādhakāḥ tilā mokṣapradāścaiva tilāḥ pāpāpahāriṇaḥ

Sesame seeds are an incomparable purifier; sesame seeds accomplish dharma and artha; sesame seeds grant liberation, and sesame seeds take away sin.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.252.13)

तिला विशेषफलदास्तिलाः शत्रुविनाशनाः । तिलाः सर्वेषु पुण्येषु प्रथमं समुदाहृताः

tilā viśeṣaphaladāstilāḥ śatruvināśanāḥ tilāḥ sarveṣu puṇyeṣu prathamaṁ samudāhṛtāḥ

Sesame seeds bestow a special fruit; sesame seeds destroy enemies; among all meritorious acts, sesame seeds are declared foremost.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.252.14)

न तिला धान्यमित्याहुर्देवधान्यमिति स्मृतम् । तस्मात्सर्वेषु दानेषु तिलदानं महोत्तमम्

na tilā dhānyamityāhurdevadhānyamiti smṛtam tasmātsarveṣu dāneṣu tiladānaṁ mahottamam

They say sesame is not merely a grain — it is remembered as the grain of the gods. Therefore, among all gifts, the gift of sesame is supremely excellent.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.252.15)

कनकेन युता येन तिलादत्तास्तु शूद्रज । ब्रह्महत्यादिपापानां विनाशस्तेन वै कृतः

kanakena yutā yena tilādattāstu śūdraja brahmahatyādipāpānāṁ vināśastena vai kṛtaḥ

O Shudra-born one, by whomever sesame seeds joined with gold have been given, by him indeed the destruction of sins beginning with the killing of a brahmin has been accomplished.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.252.16)

सावित्री च तिलाः प्रोक्ता सर्वकार्यार्थसाधकाः । तिलैस्तु तर्पणं कुर्याच्चातुर्मास्ये विशेषतः

sāvitrī ca tilāḥ proktā sarvakāryārthasādhakāḥ tilaistu tarpaṇaṁ kuryāccāturmāsye viśeṣataḥ

Sesame seeds are declared to be Savitri herself, who accomplishes every purpose and every object. One should perform libation with sesame seeds, especially during Chaturmasya.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.252.17)

तिलानां दर्शनं पुण्यं स्पर्शनं सेवनं तथा । हवनं भक्षणं चैव शरीरोद्वर्त्तनं तथा

tilānāṁ darśanaṁ puṇyaṁ sparśanaṁ sevanaṁ tathā havanaṁ bhakṣaṇaṁ caiva śarīrodvarttanaṁ tathā

The sight of sesame seeds is meritorious, and so is touching and serving them; so too is offering them in fire, eating them, and rubbing the body with them.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.252.18)

सर्वथा तिलवृक्षोऽयं दर्शनादेव पापहा । चातुर्मास्ये विशेषेण सेवितः सर्वसौख्यदः

sarvathā tilavṛkṣo'yaṁ darśanādeva pāpahā cāturmāsye viśeṣeṇa sevitaḥ sarvasaukhyadaḥ

In every way, this sesame plant, by the mere sight of it, destroys sin; especially during Chaturmasya, when served, it grants every happiness.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.252.19)

महेन्द्रो यवमास्थाय स्थितो भूतहिते रतः । यवस्य सेवनं पुण्यं दर्शनं स्पर्शनं तथा

mahendro yavamāsthāya sthito bhūtahite rataḥ yavasya sevanaṁ puṇyaṁ darśanaṁ sparśanaṁ tathā

Mahendra, resting in barley, remains there devoted to the welfare of beings. The service of barley is meritorious, and so is its sight and touch,

Verse 20 (skanda.6.252.20)

यवैस्तु तर्पणं कुर्याद्देवानां दत्तमक्षयम् । प्रजानां पतयः सर्वे चूतवृक्षमुपाश्रिताः

yavaistu tarpaṇaṁ kuryāddevānāṁ dattamakṣayam prajānāṁ patayaḥ sarve cūtavṛkṣamupāśritāḥ

and one should offer libation with barley — what is given thus to the gods becomes imperishable. All the lords of creatures have taken refuge in the mango tree,

Verse 21 (skanda.6.252.21)

गन्धर्वा मलयं वृक्षमगुरुं गणनायकः । समुद्रा वेतसं वृक्षं यक्षा पुन्नागमेव च

gandharvā malayaṁ vṛkṣamaguruṁ gaṇanāyakaḥ samudrā vetasaṁ vṛkṣaṁ yakṣā punnāgameva ca

the Gandharvas in the sandal tree, Ganapati in the agaru; the seas in the vetasa (cane) tree, and the Yakshas in the Punnaga tree.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.252.22)

नागवृक्षं तथा नागाः सिद्धाः कंकोलकं द्रुमम् । गुह्यकाः पनसं चैव किन्नरा मरिचं श्रिताः

nāgavṛkṣaṁ tathā nāgāḥ siddhāḥ kaṁkolakaṁ drumam guhyakāḥ panasaṁ caiva kinnarā maricaṁ śritāḥ

The Nagas likewise took to the Naga tree, the Siddhas to the kankola tree, the Guhyakas to the jackfruit tree, and the Kinnaras to the pepper plant.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.252.23)

यष्टीमधु समाश्रित्य कन्दर्पोऽभूद्व्यवस्थितः । रक्तांजनं महावृक्षं वह्निराश्रित्य तिष्ठति

yaṣṭīmadhu samāśritya kandarpo'bhūdvyavasthitaḥ raktāṁjanaṁ mahāvṛkṣaṁ vahnirāśritya tiṣṭhati

Kandarpa (Kama) has established himself, taking refuge in liquorice; Agni abides, having taken refuge in the great tree Raktanjana.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.252.24)

यमो विभीतकं चैव बकुलं नैर्ऋताधिपः । वरुणः खर्जुरीवृक्षं पूगवृक्षं च मारुतः

yamo vibhītakaṁ caiva bakulaṁ nairṛtādhipaḥ varuṇaḥ kharjurīvṛkṣaṁ pūgavṛkṣaṁ ca mārutaḥ

Yama took to the vibhitaka tree, and the lord of the Nairritas to the bakula tree; Varuna to the date-palm, and Maruta to the areca-palm.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.252.25)

धनदोऽक्षोटकं वृक्षं रुद्राश्च बदरीद्रुमम् । सप्तर्षीणां महाताला बहुलश्चामरैर्वृतः

dhanado'kṣoṭakaṁ vṛkṣaṁ rudrāśca badarīdrumam saptarṣīṇāṁ mahātālā bahulaścāmarairvṛtaḥ

Dhanada took to the walnut tree, and the Rudras to the jujube tree; for the Seven Sages there are the great palmyra trees, abundantly encircled by celestial beings.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.252.26)

जंबूर्मेघैः परिवृतः कृष्णवर्णोऽघनाशनः । कृष्णस्य सदृशो वर्णस्तेन जंबू नगोत्तमः

jaṁbūrmeghaiḥ parivṛtaḥ kṛṣṇavarṇo'ghanāśanaḥ kṛṣṇasya sadṛśo varṇastena jaṁbū nagottamaḥ

The Jambu tree, encircled by clouds, dark-hued, destroys sin; its colour resembles that of Krishna, and for that reason the Jambu is foremost among trees.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.252.27)

तत्फलैर्वासुदेवस्तु प्रीतो भवति दानतः । जंबूवृक्षं समाश्रित्य कुर्वंति द्विजभोजनम्

tatphalairvāsudevastu prīto bhavati dānataḥ jaṁbūvṛkṣaṁ samāśritya kurvaṁti dvijabhojanam

By the gift of its fruits, Vasudeva becomes pleased. Taking refuge beneath the Jambu tree, people perform the feeding of brahmins,

Verse 28 (skanda.6.252.28)

तेषां प्रीतो हरिर्दद्यात्पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम् । चातुर्मास्ये समायाते सुप्ते देवे जनार्दने

teṣāṁ prīto harirdadyātpuruṣārthacatuṣṭayam cāturmāsye samāyāte supte deve janārdane

and, pleased with them, Hari grants the four aims of human life. When Chaturmasya has come and the god Janardana sleeps,

Verse 29 (skanda.6.252.29)

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेद्यस्तु सपत्नीकाञ्छुचिः स्थितः । तेन नारायणस्तुष्टो भवेल्लक्ष्मीसहायवान्

brāhmaṇānbhojayedyastu sapatnīkāñchuciḥ sthitaḥ tena nārāyaṇastuṣṭo bhavellakṣmīsahāyavān

whoever, remaining pure, feeds brahmins together with their wives — by him Narayana, accompanied by Lakshmi, becomes pleased.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.252.30)

लक्ष्मीनारायणप्रीत्यै वस्त्रालंकरणैः शुभैः । परिधाय सपत्नीकः कृतकृत्यो भवेन्नरः

lakṣmīnārāyaṇaprītyai vastrālaṁkaraṇaiḥ śubhaiḥ paridhāya sapatnīkaḥ kṛtakṛtyo bhavennaraḥ

For the pleasure of Lakshmi-Narayana, having offered fine garments and auspicious ornaments, a man, together with his wife, becomes one who has accomplished his purpose.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.252.31)

यद्रात्रित्रितयेनैव वटाशोकभवेन च । फलं संजायते तच्च जंबुना द्विजभोजनात्

yadrātritritayenaiva vaṭāśokabhavena ca phalaṁ saṁjāyate tacca jaṁbunā dvijabhojanāt

Whatever fruit arises from a three-night observance with the banyan and the ashoka, that same fruit arises from feeding a brahmin beneath the Jambu.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.252.32)

तस्मिन्दिने एकभुक्तं कारयेत्कृत्यकृत्तदा । बहुना च किमुक्तेन जंबूवृक्षप्रपूजनात्

tasmindine ekabhuktaṁ kārayetkṛtyakṛttadā bahunā ca kimuktena jaṁbūvṛkṣaprapūjanāt

On that day, one performing the observance should eat only once. And what more need be said — by the worship of the Jambu tree,

Verse 33 (skanda.6.252.33)

पुत्रपौत्रधनैर्युक्तो जायते नात्र संशयः । जंबूर्मेघैः परिवृता विद्युताऽशोक एव च

putrapautradhanairyukto jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ jaṁbūrmeghaiḥ parivṛtā vidyutā'śoka eva ca

one becomes endowed with sons, grandsons, and wealth — there is no doubt of this. The Jambu is encircled by clouds, and likewise the Ashoka by lightning.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.252.34)

वसुभिः स्वीकृतो नित्यं प्रियालश्च महानगः । आदित्यैस्तु जपावृक्षो ह्यश्विभ्यां मदनस्तथा

vasubhiḥ svīkṛto nityaṁ priyālaśca mahānagaḥ ādityaistu japāvṛkṣo hyaśvibhyāṁ madanastathā

The great tree Priyala has ever been accepted by the Vasus; the Japa (hibiscus) tree by the Adityas, and likewise the Madana tree by the two Ashvins.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.252.35)

विश्वेभिश्च मधूकश्च गुग्गुलः पिशिताशनैः । सूर्येणार्कः पवित्रेण सोमे नाथ त्रिपत्रकः

viśvebhiśca madhūkaśca guggulaḥ piśitāśanaiḥ sūryeṇārkaḥ pavitreṇa some nātha tripatrakaḥ

The Madhuka by the Vishvadevas, and the guggulu tree by the flesh-eaters; the Arka by the pure Surya, and, O Lord, the three-leaved Bilva by Soma.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.252.36)

खदिरो भूमिपुत्रेण अपामार्गो बुधेन च । अश्वत्थो गुरुणा चैव शुक्रेणोदुम्बरस्तथा

khadiro bhūmiputreṇa apāmārgo budhena ca aśvattho guruṇā caiva śukreṇodumbarastathā

The Khadira by the son of the Earth, and the Apamarga by Budha; the Ashvattha indeed by Guru, and likewise the Udumbara by Shukra.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.252.37)

शमी शनैश्चरेणाथ स्वीकृता शूद्रजातिभिः । राहुणा स्वीकृता दूर्वा पितॄणां तर्पणोचिता

śamī śanaiścareṇātha svīkṛtā śūdrajātibhiḥ rāhuṇā svīkṛtā dūrvā pitṝṇāṁ tarpaṇocitā

The Shami tree was accepted by Shanaishchara, together with people of the Shudra caste; Durva grass was accepted by Rahu, fit for the libation of the ancestors,

Verse 38 (skanda.6.252.38)

विष्णोश्च दयिता नित्यं चातुर्मास्ये विशेषतः । केतुना स्वीकृतो दर्भो याज्ञिकेयो महाफलः

viṣṇośca dayitā nityaṁ cāturmāsye viśeṣataḥ ketunā svīkṛto darbho yājñikeyo mahāphalaḥ

and is ever dear to Vishnu, especially during Chaturmasya. Darbha grass, fit for sacrificial rites and of great merit, was accepted by Ketu,

Verse 39 (skanda.6.252.39)

विना येन शुभं कर्म संपूर्णं नैव जायते । पवित्राणां पवित्रं यो मङ्गलानां च मङ्गलम्

vinā yena śubhaṁ karma saṁpūrṇaṁ naiva jāyate pavitrāṇāṁ pavitraṁ yo maṅgalānāṁ ca maṅgalam

without which no auspicious rite ever becomes complete — that which is the purifier of all purifiers, and the auspiciousness of all auspicious things,

Verse 40 (skanda.6.252.40)

मुमूर्षूणां मोक्षरूपो धरासंस्थो महाद्रुमः । अस्मिन्वसंति सततं ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवाः सदा

mumūrṣūṇāṁ mokṣarūpo dharāsaṁstho mahādrumaḥ asminvasaṁti satataṁ brahmaviṣṇuśivāḥ sadā

the very form of liberation for the dying, this great growth established upon the earth — in it Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva ever constantly dwell,

Verse 41 (skanda.6.252.41)

मूले मध्ये तथाऽग्रे च यस्य नामापि तृप्तिदम् । अन्येऽपि देवा वृक्षांस्तानधिश्रित्य महाद्रुमाः

mūle madhye tathā'gre ca yasya nāmāpi tṛptidam anye'pi devā vṛkṣāṁstānadhiśritya mahādrumāḥ

in its root, its middle, and its tip — the very name of which grants satisfaction. Other gods too, taking refuge in those great trees,

Verse 42 (skanda.6.252.42)

प्रवर्त्तंते हि मासेषु चतुर्षु च न संशयः । चातुर्मास्ये देवपत्न्यः सर्वा वल्लीसमाश्रिताः

pravarttaṁte hi māseṣu caturṣu ca na saṁśayaḥ cāturmāsye devapatnyaḥ sarvā vallīsamāśritāḥ

become active there during the four months indeed — there is no doubt. During Chaturmasya, all the wives of the gods take refuge in creepers,

Verse 43 (skanda.6.252.43)

प्रयच्छंति नृणां कामान्वांछितान्सेविता अपि । तस्मात्सर्वात्मभावेन पिप्पलो येन सेवितः

prayacchaṁti nṛṇāṁ kāmānvāṁchitānsevitā api tasmātsarvātmabhāvena pippalo yena sevitaḥ

and, when served, grant men their desired wishes. Therefore, whoever, with his whole being, serves the Pippala,

Verse 44 (skanda.6.252.44)

सेविताः सकला वृक्षाश्चातुर्मास्ये विशेषतः । तुलसी सेविता येन सर्ववल्यश्च सेविताः

sevitāḥ sakalā vṛkṣāścāturmāsye viśeṣataḥ tulasī sevitā yena sarvavalyaśca sevitāḥ

by him all the trees are served, especially during Chaturmasya; and by whomever Tulasi is served, by him all the creepers are served.

Verse 45 (skanda.6.252.45)

आप्यायितं जगत्सर्वमाब्रह्मस्तंबसेवितम् । चातुर्मास्ये गृहस्थेन वानप्रस्थेन वा पुनः

āpyāyitaṁ jagatsarvamābrahmastaṁbasevitam cāturmāsye gṛhasthena vānaprasthena vā punaḥ

Thus the whole world, served in this way from Brahma down to the blade of grass, is nourished. During Chaturmasya, by the householder or again by the forest-dweller,

Verse 46 (skanda.6.252.46)

ब्रह्मचारियतिभ्यां च सेविता मोक्षदायिनी । एतेषां सर्ववृक्षाणां छेदनं नैव कारयेत्

brahmacāriyatibhyāṁ ca sevitā mokṣadāyinī eteṣāṁ sarvavṛkṣāṇāṁ chedanaṁ naiva kārayet

and by the celibate student and the ascetic, when served, it becomes the bestower of liberation. One should never cause any of these trees to be felled,

Verse 47 (skanda.6.252.47)

चातुर्मास्ये विशेषेण विना यज्ञादिकारणम् । एतदुक्तमशेषेण यत्पृष्टोऽहमिह त्वया

cāturmāsye viśeṣeṇa vinā yajñādikāraṇam etaduktamaśeṣeṇa yatpṛṣṭo'hamiha tvayā

especially during Chaturmasya, except for the purpose of a sacrifice or similar cause. This has now been told in full — whatever you have asked me here,

Verse 48 (skanda.6.252.48)

यथा वृक्षत्वमापन्ना देवाः सर्वेऽपि शूद्रज

yathā vṛkṣatvamāpannā devāḥ sarve'pi śūdraja

O Shudra-born one, namely how all the gods came to attain the state of trees.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.252.49)

अश्वत्थमेकं पिचुमन्दमेकं न्यग्रोधमेकं दश तित्तिडीश्च । कपित्थबिल्वामलकीत्रयं च एतांश्च दृष्ट्वा नरकं न पश्येत्

aśvatthamekaṁ picumandamekaṁ nyagrodhamekaṁ daśa tittiḍīśca kapitthabilvāmalakītrayaṁ ca etāṁśca dṛṣṭvā narakaṁ na paśyet

One Ashvattha, one Nimba, one Nyagrodha, ten Tamarind trees, and three each of Kapittha, Bilva, and Amalaki — having seen these, one shall not see hell.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.252.50)

सर्वे देवा विश्ववृक्षेशयाश्च कृष्णा धारा कृष्णमध्याग्रकाश्च । यस्मिन्देवे सेविते विश्वपूज्ये सर्वं तृप्तं जायते विश्वमेतत्

sarve devā viśvavṛkṣeśayāśca kṛṣṇā dhārā kṛṣṇamadhyāgrakāśca yasmindeve sevite viśvapūjye sarvaṁ tṛptaṁ jāyate viśvametat

All the gods dwell in the trees of the universe — their stream, their middle, and their tips dark-hued. When that god, worthy of worship by the whole universe, is served, this entire universe becomes satisfied.