Note 187 — Chapter VII
William Johnston translation
These three apparitions are evidently a mystic veil, behind which the Indian philosophers have concealed the history of the flood, and of the fall of the wicked angels. The former was believed by all the ancient nations; and in regard to the latter, the book Mahábharáda contains the following remarkable passage: Asuranguel deivatuam codiciaver; that is, “The Asuri, or the wicked angels, contended with the utmost desire for deification.” This passage stands in the 13th page of the copy of the above book, which I have in my possession. Compare with it my Systema Brahmanicum, p. 279. A.