Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4076

c9.4076

6) Curbing the arrogance of Silk-cotton tree. Long ago a silk-cotton tree grew up on the top of the Himālayas. It grew up to be a big tree spreading its branches in all directions. Birds built their nests on the branches of that big tree and hermits and animals found shelter under its shade. The silk-cotton tree became arrogant. Once Nārada came there and praised the tree:— “How gigantic, this silk-cotton tree is! Even in a great storm its branches do not move.” The praise of Nārada made the tree more haughty. It told Nārada that the storm etc. were its servants. Nārada told Vāyu, what the silk-cotton tree said to him. Vāyu got angry and coming to the tree, said thus:— “You, wicked silk-cotton tree, in days of yore, when Brahmā was carrying on creation he took rest on you for a while. That is why I keep motionless when I come to you. It is not because I am afraid of you. I knew that you belittled me before Nārada. If you are bold enough, come and fight with me.”