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Mahabharata
Lokapala Sabhakhayana Parva
The history of Lokapalas. The inquiry about assembly-hall. Description of lndra’s assembly-hall. Description of Yama's assembly-hall. Description of Varuna's assembly-hall. Description of Kubera's Sabha. Description of Brahma's Sabha.
Vaishampayana said:
O descendant of Bharata, when the illustrious Pandavas were seated in it (their assembly-hall) with the chief Gandharvas, there came Narada,
The celestials Rishi who was learned in the Vedas and the Upanishad's, who was worshipped by the celestials, who was learned in the histories and the Puranas, who was well versed in all that had happened in old Kalpas,
Who was well-skilled in Nyaya, and in the truths of moral science, who was the possessor of the complete knowledge of the Angas, and a perfect master of reconciling contradictory taxes.
Who was eloquent, resolute, intelligent, learned, possessor of powerful memory, learned in the science of morality and politics, proficient in distinguishing inferior things from the superior.
Skilled in drawing inference from evidence, competent to judge of correctness or incorrectness of syllogistic statements consisting of five propositions, capable of answering successfully (the queries) of Brihaspati.
Who was a man with definite conclusions properly framed about Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha (Salvation), who was a man with a great soul seeing the universe about, below, and around as if it were present before his eyes, who was a master of Sankhya and Yoga (Philosophies), and who was ever desirous of humbling the Devas and the Asuras by fomenting quarrels amongst them,
Who was learned in the science of war and treaty, proficient in making disposition of things by guesses, the teacher of six sciences (of treaty, war, march, defending military posts, stratagem by ambuscade and) and learned in all the Shastras.
Who was fond of war and music, and incapable of being repulsed by any science of learning. Possessed of these and many other accomplishments, the greatly effulgent Rishi Narada with many other Rishis, after having traveled over all the world, came (at last) to the assembly-hall.
O king, the celestials Rishi of immeasurable effulgence was accompanied by Parijata, the intelligent Raivatga, Saumya and Sumukha.
The Rishi who moved about with the speed of mind was filled with joy on seeing the assembly-hall of the Pandavas. The Brahmana (Narada) wishing him victory uttered blessings on Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira).
Seeing the Rishi Narada arrived (in the assembly-hall), that best of the Pandavas (Yudhishthira) learned in all religious precepts, soon stood up with his brothers.
Bowing low with humility, he saluted him with joy, and hither offered him with due ceremonies, a befitting seat.
The virtuous (king) offered him kine, Arghya and Madhuparka (a preparation of honey). He worshipped him with gems and jewels and with his whole heart.
He (Narada) was gratified by receiving the worship from Yudhishthira in proper form. Having been thus worshipped by all the Pandavas, the great Rishi, learned in the Vedas, spoke to Yudhishthira the following words on Dharma, Artha and Kama.
Narada said:
Is the wealth you are earning spent in proper objects? Dopes you mind take pleasure in virtue? Does not your mind sink under their weight?
O chief of men, do you continue in the noble conduct consistent with Dharma and Artha with respect to the three classes (good, bad and indifferent) of your subjects as practiced by your ancestors?
Do you injure religion (Dharma) for the sake of profit (Artha), or profit for the sake of religion, or both religion and profit for the sake of pleasures which easily tempts men?
O foremost of pious men, O (king) learned in the timeliness (of everything), do you dividing your time judiciously follow religion, profit and pleasures?
O sinless one, do you attend with the six attributes of kings, to the seven means? Do you examine after surveying your own strength and weakness and the fourteen possessions (of your enemies)?
O foremost of pious men, O descendant of Bharata, do you attend to the eight occupations, having surveyed your own and your enemy's means and also having made peace (with your enemies)?
O best of the Bharata race, have your seven chief officers of state been tempted by your enemies? Have they become idle for the wealth they have earned? Are they all attached to you?
Your counsels are not surely divulged by your trusted and disguised spies, or by yourself or by your ministers.
Do you ascertain what your friends, your enemies and the ascetics are doing? Do you make war and peace at the proper time?
Do you observe neutrality towards the ascetics and towards those that show neutrality towards you? O hero, have you appointed as your ministers men like yourself, men who are old and pious, who are capable of understanding what should be done and what should not be done, who are nobly born and who are attached to you? O descendant of Bharata, the ministers are the basis of the victories of kings.
O child, is your kingdom protected by ministers, learned in the Shastras, men who are keeping all counsels secret? The enemies are surely not destroying it (the kingdom).
You have not (surely) become a slave to sleep. Do you get up from sleep at the proper time? O king learned in (the mysteries of) Artha, do you think at the dead of night what you should do and what should no do?
You do not surely settle any thing alone or take advice of many. Counsels received fro the ministers surely do not spread all over your Kingdom.
Do you without procrastination accomplish measures of great utility that can be easily accomplished? Such measures are surely never obstructed (in your Kingdom).
Do the ends of all works come to your sight? Are they all fearlessly examined? Once commencing any work are they given up and begun again? Do they fall into confusion at the commencement?
O king, do you accomplish your works by men that are trusted and incorruptible and that possess of practical experience? O hero, people surely know only the measures that have been accomplished or partially accomplished, and surely they can not know those that are, merely in contemplation. Have you appointed teachers, learned in all the Shastras and religious precepts, for the princes and for the chief warriors?
Do you purchase one single learned man in exchanges of one thousand ignorant men? The learned man confers the greatest good at the time of distress.
Are all your forts always kept filled with treasure, food, weapons, water, engines, and instruments, and are they protected by artisans and bowmen?
Even one single minister who is intelligent, heroic, self-controlled, and discriminating confers the greatest good on a king of on a king's son.
Do you ascertain by means of three and three spies who are all unaccounted with one another everything about the eighteen Tirthas of the enemy and fifteen of your own means?
O slayer of foes, do you watch your enemies with all possible care and attention and do you accomplish this unknown to them?
Does your honored priest possess humility and purity of blood? Is he without jealousy and illiberality? Is he renowned? Has some well-behaved, intelligent and simple Brahmana learned in the ordinances been employed by you to perform your daily rites before the sacred fire? Does he always rites before the sacred fire? Does he always remind you in proper time as to when your Homa (sacrifice) has been performed and when it should be performed (again)? Is the astrologer you have employed competent in reading physiognomy and interpreting omens and in neutralizing the disturbance of Nature?
Have you appointed respectable servants in respectable posts, indifferent ones in indifferent posts and low ones in low posts?
Have you appointed in high posts ministers who are guileless and well conducted from generations to generations, and who are above the common people?
O best of the Bharata race, your subjects are not (sorely) oppressed by your severe rule. Do your ministers govern your kingdom always receiving all orders from you?
Do they ever slight you as the sacrificial priests slight men that are fallen (from religious path), or as wives slight their husbands who are proud and who are debauches?
Is your commander-in-chief brave, intelligent, patient, well-conducted, nobly born, competent, devoted to you and a man of confidence?
Do you treat with respect and regard the chiefs (generals) of your army, who are experts in every kind of war-fare, who are pushing, who are well-behaved and endued with great prowess?
Do you give to your soldiers they proper rations and pay at (the appointed) time? Surely you do not oppress them by withholding from them (their rations and pay).
Are you aware that the misery caused by the arrears of pay and the irregularity of the issue of rations creates mutiny amongst the soldiers? The learned men call it the greatest of all mischief.
Are all the chief men (of your kingdom) nobly born? Are they all attached to you? Are they ready to give their lives cheerfully for you on the field of battle?
Surely (in your kingdom) a man who is beyond all control does not out of desire rule at pleasure over things pertaining military affairs.
Does a man who shows exceptional merit in an act get from you more regard, and also an increase of rations and pay?
Surely you reward by bestowing wealth and proper honors on men of learning and humility, and men who are skilled in every kind of knowledge.
O best of the Bharata race, do you support the wives and children of those that have given their lives for you, and those that have fallen into distress for you?
O son of Pritha, do you cherish as your sons the enemy who having been vanquished in battle, comes to you from fear, who has become weak and who has sought your protection?
O lord of earth, do the people of all the world consider you an embodiment of impartiality? Can they come to you fearlessly as if you are their mother and father?
O best of the Bharata race, do you reflecting well upon the three kinds of force, (at once) march, against your enemy when you hear that he is in distress?
O chastiser of foes, when the (proper) time comes, taking into your consideration all the omens you might see and having been convinced that the resolutions you have formed and their unsuccesses depend on the twelve Mandalas and having paid your troops their pays do you begin your march? O great king, O chastiser of foes, do you have gems and jewels to the chief officers of the enemy as they (each of them) deserve without the knowledge of the enemy?
O son of Pritha, do you try to conquer your angry enemies who are slaves to their passions? Do you do it by conquering your own soul and getting mastery over your own passions?
Before you march against your enemy do you properly employ the four arts of conciliation, gift of wealth, production of disunion and the application of strength?
O king, do you march against your enemy, after first strengthening your own kingdom? Having marched against them, do you try your best to obtain victory over them? Having conquered them with your might do (afterwards) you protect them?
Are your Chamus consisting of four kinds of troops, each furnished with eight limbs (wings) after having been well-trained by superior officers led out against your enemy?
O chastiser of foes, O great king, in having to the kingdom of your enemy you surely do not kill your enemies without regarding seasons of reaping or famine (raging).
Do the various servants in your own kingdom and those of your enemies continue to carry on their respective duties? Do they continue to protect one another?
O great king, you have surely appointed trusted servants to look after the food you eat, the robes you wear and the perfume you use.
O king, are your treasury, banks stables, arsenals, and female apartments well-guarded by servants who are ever devoted to you and who always seek your welfare? You no doubt first protect yourself from your domestic and public servants and you then protect those servants from your relatives and last of all you no doubt protect all of them from one another.
Can any body know in the forenoon any of your extravagance in drink, in sports (gambling) and in women?
Is your expense always covered by a half, a third of fourth part of your income? Do you always cherish with food and wealth your relatives, superiors, merchants, the old, the helpless, the protected and the distressed?
Do you accountants and clerks employ in looking after your income and expenditure always inform you in the forenoon all about your income and expenditure?
You surely do not dismiss without fault servants who are able in work, who are popular and who are always devoted to your welfare.
O descendant of Bharata, do you appoint after duly examining them (all the three classes of men, namely) the good, indifferent and the bad in posts to which they are respectively fit to the appointed?
O king, do you appoint men who are thievish, who are open to temptation, who are under age?
Do you oppress (the people of) your kingdom by the help of thievish men or by men who are open to temptation or by minors or by women? Are the peasants of your kingdom contented?
Are large tanks dug in your kingdom at proper distance, for which agriculture is not in your realm entirely dependent on rains?
Are the agriculturists in your kingdom in want of food or seed? Do you kindly advance them loan (of seed grain) taken only a fourth part over every hundred (seer, mound &)?
O child, do the four kings of Bharata (agriculture, trade, cattle rearing and lending in interest) are carried on (in your kingdom) by honest men? O child, upon these depend the happiness of your subjects.
O king, do the five wise and brave men employed in the five chief ports, (namely that of protecting the city, fort, the merchant and the agriculturists and of punishing the criminals) always do good to your kingdom by working in unison?
Have the villages been made (by you) like towns and the outskirts of towns like villages for the protection of your city? Are they all under your supervision and away?
Are the thieves and the robbers that steal in your city and loot your towns pursued by your soldiers over even and uneven grounds?
Do you console and protect the women? You surely do not place any confidence on them, or divulge any secret before any of them?
O king, hearing of any danger, and even reflecting over it, do you lie in the inner-apartments and enjoy luxury there?
O king, O son of Pandu, having slept during the second and the third divisions of the night, do you reflect over Dharma and Artha (in the last division of the night)? Do your accompanied by your ministers, feared in the mystery of Time, show your self well-adorned to your people after waking at the proper time?
O chastiser of foes, do men attired in purple clothes, armed with swords and adorned with ornaments, stand by you to protect your person?
O king, do you conduct yourself like Yama (the God of justice) in meting out proper punishments to those that deserve it, and also proper worship to those that deserve it? Do you do this equally to those that are dear to you and to those that you do not like?
O son of Pritha, do you take care of your bodily ailments by taking medicines and also taking recourse to fasts and regularity of diet and of your mental illness by taking advice of the old men?
The physicians that have been appointed by you to look after your health are surely learned in the eight divisions (of the science of treatment)? They are surely all attached to you and devoted to you?
O king, out of covetousness, or folly or pride you surely never fail to decide the case between the plaintiff and the defendant who come to you?
Do you, out of covetousness of folly, deprive of the pensions of the men that have come to you for protection out of trustfulness or love?
Do the citizens and the people of your kingdom, being bought by your enemies (with bribe), try to create a quarrel with you by forming into an united party?
Are your enemies, especially those that are weak, always repressed by you with the help of your troops? Are those that are strong repressed with the help of both good counsel and troops?
Are all your principal (tributary chiefs) rules of land attached to you? Are they ready to give their lives for you, if they are commanded by you?
Do you worship Brahmanas and wise men according to their respective merits as regards their knowledge in all the branches of learning? Such worship is undoubtedly beneficial to you.
Have you your faith in the religion based on the three (Vedas) and followed by men who have gone before you? Do you with care follow the practices practised by them?
Are the accomplished Brahmanas entertained in your presence with delicious and nutritive food in your house? Do they get (proper) Dakshinas after the feast?
With steadiness of mind and with complete self-possession, do you try to perform Vajpeya, Pundarikas and other sacrifices with all necessary rites?
Do you bow your head to your relatives and to your superiors, to the gods, to the ascetics, to old men, to the large trees that are so beneficial (to men) and to the Brahmanas?
O sinless one, you do not surely inspire anger or create grief in another person? Do men that are capable of granting you auspicious fruits always stand at your side?
O sinless one, are your disposition and practice such as I have described, and such as always lengthen the period of life spread fame and help the cause of Dharma, Artha and Kama?
He who conducts himself thus never finds his kingdom distressed or afflicted. Such a king subjugates the whole earth and enjoys great happiness.
O best of men, no well-beloved, pure-souled and respected person is surely deceived and his life is not taken in a false charge of theft by your ministers, who are ignorant of Shastras and who are covetous? Your ministers do surely never, out of covetousness, allow a real thief to escape, knowing him to be such and after arresting him with the booty on him?
O descendant of Bharata, your ministers being bribed do never decide wrongly the disputes that arise between the poor and the rich?
Do you keep yourself aloof from the fourteen vices of kings namely, atheism, untruthfulness, anger, carelessness, procrastination, non-visiting the wise, idleness, restlessness of mind, taking counsel with one man only, consultation with persons ignorant of the science of Artha, abandonment of a settled plain divulgence of counsels, unaccomplishment of beneficial projects and undertaking everything without reflection? O king, even those kings that are firmly seated on their thrones are ruined by these (vices).
Has your study of the Vedas been successful? Have your wealth, the knowledge of Shastras and marriage been successful?
Yudhishthira said:
O Rishi, how do the study of the Vedas wealth, wife and the knowledge of Shastras become successful?
Narada said:
The study of the Vedas is successful when he who studies it performs Agnihotra sacrifice. Wealth is successful when the possessor of wealth enjoys it himself and gives it away in charity. Marriage is successful when the wife is enjoyed and when she bears offspring. The knowledge of the Shastras is successful when it results in humility and good conduct.
Vaishampayana said:
Having told this the greatly ascetic Rishi Narada then again asked the virtuous minded Yudhishthira.
Narada said:
O king, do your officers who are paid from the taxes to be realized from merchandise, take only their just dues from the merchants that come from distant place (to your kingdom) with the desire of gain? Are the merchants and traders well-treated in your capital and kingdom? Are they capable of bringing their goods without being any way deceived?
O child, do you daily listen to the words fraught with Dharma and Artha, the words of old men learned in the science of Artha and capable of pointing out the ways of (both) Dharma and Artha?
Are Ghee and honey presented to Brahmanas for the increase of crops, kine fruits, flowers and virtue?
Do you always give to the artizans employed in your works all the materials that are required for their construction and also their wages at periods (at least) not extending more than four months?
O great king, do you examine the works done for you? Do you praise before good men those that are employed by you? Do you reward them after showing towards them due respect?
O best of the Bharata race, O lord do you follow all the Sutras (aphorisms) of the sages, especially those in respect of elephants, horses and chariots.
O best of the Bharata race, are the Sutras regarding the science of arms and also those regarding instruments so necessary for attacking fortified towns, carefully studied in your house?
O sinless one, are you acquainted with all weapons all mysterious incantations and with all the secrets of poison destructive of all enemies?
Do you protect your kingdom from the fear of fire, snakes, other carnivorous animals, diseases and Rakshasas?
O (hero), learned in all virtuous precepts, do you cherish like a father the blind, the dumb, the lame, the deformed, the friendless, and also the homeless ascetics?
O great king, have you banished from you the six evils (to which human flesh is heir to), namely sleep, fear, anger, weakness of mind and procrastination?
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard these words of that best of Brahmanas, the celestial-like Narada and having been pleased with what he heard, the best of the Kuru race, the high-souled king (Yudhishthira) bowed down to him and worshipped his feet.
At the end of the Brahmarshi (Narada's) words, Dharamaraja Yudhishthira's duly worshipped him; and then having been commanded by him he replied in detail (to the questions asked by the Rishi).
Yudhishthira said:
O blessed one, the truth of religion and morality indicated by you are just and proper. I duly observe them to the best of my power.
There is no doubt that the acts properly performed by the kings of the olden days should be regarded as having borne proper fruit and having been undertaken from sound motive for the attainment of proper objects.
O lord, I wish to walk in the virtuous path of those kings; but we are not able to walk along it like those self-controlled monarchs.
Vaishampayana said:
The greatly effulgent son of Pandu, Yudhishthira, having received with reverence the words of Narada, and having also replied to the Rishi, reflected for some time. Getting a proper opportunity the king who sat by the side of the Rishi capable of going everywhere at will asked him thus in the presence of the assembly of kings.
Yudhishthira said:
You possess the sped of mind, you roam over various worlds created in the days of yore by Brahma, thus everywhere seeing everything in them.
O Brahmana, tell me I ask you, if you have ever before seen anywhere an assembly-hall like this one belonging to me or superior to it.
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard the words of Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), Narda smiling by answered the Pandava in these sweet words.
Narada said:
O child, O king, O descendant of Bharata, I have never heard nor seen amongst men any assembly-hall built of gems and precious stones like one belonging to you.
I shall desirable to you the assembly-hall of the regions of the king of the Pitris (Yama) of the intelligent Varuna, of Indra, and of the deity whose abode is on the Kailasa (Kubera).
I shall (also) describe to you the assembly-hall of Brahma that dispels all misery. All these assembly-hall exhibit in their structure both celestials and human designs and present every kind of form that exists in the Universe. They are worshipped by the celestials, the Pitris, the Ganas, the Sadhyas, the self-controlled ascetics engaged in sacrifices and the mild Rishis that are ever employed in the Vedic sacrifices with Dakshinas. O best of the Bharata race, if your mind is set upon hearing all this, (I shall describe them to you).
Vaishampayana said:
Having been thus addressed by Narada, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira with all the excellent Brahmanas (that were present there) joined his hands.
The high-minded Dharmaraja then thus spoke to Narada, "describe to us all those assembly-halls. We desire to hear (all about them) from you.
O Brahmana, which Sabha (assembly-hall) is made of what articles? What is the area of each, and what is the length and breadth of each? Who waits upon the Grandsire in his Sabha?
Who waits upon the king of the celestiaiss Vasava (Indra), upon the son of Vaivasvata Yama, upon Varuna, and upon Kubera in their assembly-halls?
O Brahmarshi, tell us all about this. We all together desire to hear you describe them. We are full of great curiosity."
Having been thus addressed, Narada replied, O king, hear all about these Sabha one after the other."
Narada said:
The celestials Sabha of Shakra (Indra) is full of lustre; and it was obtained by him as the fruit of his actions. O descendant of Kuru, it was made by Shakra (Indra) himself as effulgent as the Sun.
Its breadth is one hundred Yojanas, its length is also one hundred and fifty Yojanas; it is five Yojanas in height. It can go anywhere at will.
It dispels decrepitude, grief, fatigue, and fear; it is beneficial and auspicious, it is furnished with rooms and seats, it is charming and adorned with celestials trees.
O son of Pritha, O descendant of Bharata, in that Sabha sits on an excellent seat the lord of the celestiaiss with his wife Sachi who is the embodiment of beauty and wealth.
With an indescribable vague from, with a crown on his head, with bright bracelets on the upper arms, attired in pure white robes, and adorned with many colored garlands, he sits there with Beauty, Fame and Glory by his side.
There daily wait upon that illustrious deity of one thousand sacrifices (Indra) all the Marutas that lead the life of house holders,
The Siddhas, the celestials Rishi, the Sadhyas the celestiaiss, and the bright complexioned Marutas adorned with golden garlands;
These with their followers all possessing celestials forms and adorned with ornaments always wait upon and worship the illustrious chastiser of foes, the lord of the celestiaiss.
O son of Pritha, there wait upon Shakra (Indra) all the celestials Rishis of pure soul, all as the fire, and all whose sins are completely washed off,
All that are energetic, without grief of any kind, and without any fever (of anxiety), all performers of performers of Soma sacrifice. Parashara, Parvata, Savami, Galava.
Shankha, Likhita the Rishi Gaurashira, Durvasa, Krodhana, Shyena, the Rishi Dirghatama, Pavitrapani, Savarni, Yajnavalkya, Bhaluki, Uddalka, Svetaketu, Tandya, Bhandayani, Havishman, Garishtha, King Harishchandra, Hridhya, Udarashandilya, Parashara, Krishivala, Vataskandha, Vishakha, Vidhata, Kala, Karaladanta, Tvashta, Vishvakarma, and Tumburu.
Some born of women, some not born of women; some living on air, some on fire, (all these Rishis) worship the wielder of thunder (Indra), the lord of all the world. Sahadeva, Sunitha, the greatly ascetic Valmiki, Shamika of truthful speech promise keeping Prachetas, Meghatithi, Vamadeva, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu Marutta, Marichi, greatly ascetic Sthanu Kakshivan, Goutama, Tarkshya, the Rishi Vaishvanara, the Rishi Kalakavrikshiya, Ashravya, Hiranmaya, Samvartta, Devahavya, greatly powerful Vishvaksena, Kanwa, Katyayana, Garga, Kaushika - (all these) and the celestials waters and plants, faith, Intelligence and the goddess of learning,
Dharma, Artha and Kama also lightning, clouds charged with rains, the winds, all the loud-sounding forces of heaven.
The eastern point, the twenty seven fires conveying the sacrificial Ghee, Agni, Soma, the fire of Indra, Mitra, Savitri and Aryama.
Bhaga, Vishva, the Sadhyas, the preceptor (Brihaspati), Shukra, Vishvavasu, Chitrasena, Sumana, Taruna.
The sacrificial Dakshinas (gifts to Brahmanas), the planets, the starts, the Mantras which are uttered in sacrifices, O descendant of Bharata, all these are present there.
O king, many charming Apsaras and Gandharvas gratify there the lord of the celestiaiss, Shatakratu, (Indra) with their various kinds of dances and vocal and instrumental music, with the practice of auspicious rites, and with the exhibition of many skillful feats. They gratify there the illustrious slayer of Vitra and Vala with their various skill. The Brahmana Rishis, all the royal and celestials sages,
As effulgent as fire, adorned with garlands and ornaments often come to and go from that celestials assembly-hall riding on various kinds of celestials cars.
Brihaspati and Shukra are always present there on the occasions. These and many other illustrious Rishis of rigid vows.
O king, Bhrigu and the seven Rishis who are equal to Brahma himself, use always to come to and go from that assembly-hall, riding on cars as beautiful as the car of Soma.
O king, I have seen this Sabha, named Pushkaramalini of the deity of one thousand sacrifices (Indra). Here now about the assembly-hall ofYama.
Narada said:
O Yudhishthira, I shall now describe the assembly-hall of Yama, the son of Vaivasvata. O son of Pritha, it was built by Vishvakarma; hear all about it.
O king, that effulgent Sabha covers an area of one hundred Yojanas. O son of Pandu, it possesses the splendour of the sun; it yields every thing that one may desire to have from it. It is neither very cold nor very hot. It delights the heart.
There is no grief, and no decrepitude, no hunger, no thirst; nor there was any thing disagreeable, nor there was any kind of wretchedness of distress. There can be no fatigue or any kind of evil-feelings in that Sabha.
O chastiser of foes, every object of desire, celestials or human, is to be found in that hall; all kinds of enjoyable articles as also sweet, juicy, agreeable and delicious things that are likeable, suckable or drinkable are all there in profusion. The garlands that are there are of the most delicious fragrance, and the trees that stand (around it) yield whatever fruits are desired.
There are both cold and hot water, they are all sweet and agreeable. There sit holy royal sages and stainless Brahmana Rishis.
O child, they all cheerfully wait upon Yama, the son of Vaivasvata. Yayati, Nahusha,
Puru, Mandhata, Somaka, Nriga.
The royal sage Trasadasyu, Kritavirya, Shrutashrava, Arishtanemi, Siddha, Kritavega, Kriti, Nimi, Pratardana, Shibi, Matsya, Prithulaksha, Brihadratha, Vartta, Marutta, Kushika, Sankashya, Sankriti, Dhruva, Chaturashva, Sadashvormi, the king Kirtavirya, Bharata, Shuratha, Sunitha, Nishatha, Nala, Devodasa, Sumana, Ambrisha, Bhagiratha, Vyashva, Sadashva, Badhyashva, Prithuvega, Prithushrava, Prishadashva, Vasumana, Kshupa, and Sumahabala, Rushadru, Vrishasena, Purukutsa, Dhvaji Rishi, Arshtishena, Dilipa, the high-souled Ushinara, Aushinari, Pundarika, Sharyati, Sharabha, Suchi, Anga, Arishta, Vena, Dushyanta, Srinjaya, Jaya, Bhangasuri, Sunitha, Nishada, Vahinara, Karandhama, Valhika, Sudyumna, the powerful Madhu, Aila the powerful king of the earth Maruta, Kapotaroma, Trinaka, Sahadeva, Arjuna, Vyashva, Sashva, Krishashva, the king Shashabindu, the sons of Dasharatha Rama and Lakshmana, Pravardhana, Alarka, Kakshasena, Gaya, Gaurashva, the son of Jamadagni (Parashu) Rama, Nabhaga, Sagara, Bhuridyumna, Mahashva, Prithashva, Janaka, King Vaindhya, Varisena, Purujit, Janamejaya, Brahmadatta, Trigarta, the king Uparichara, Indradyumna, Bhimajanu, Gaurapristha, Nala, Goya, Padma, Muchukunda, Bhuridyumna, Prasenajit, Arishtanemi, Sudyumna, Prithulashva, Ashtaka, one hundred kings of the Matsya race, one hundred of the Nipa, and one hundred of the Gaya race.
One hundred kings of the name of Dhritarashtra, eighty of the name of Janamejaya, one hundred of the name of Brahmadatta, one of the name of Viri and Iri,
Two hundred Bhishmas, one hundred Bhimas, one hundred Prativindhya, one hundred Nagas, and one hundred Hayas.
One hundred Palashas, one hundred Kashas, and Kushas, the king of kings, Shantanu, your father Pandu.
Ushangava, Shataratha, Devaraja, Jayadratha, the wise royal sage Vrishadarbha with his ministers.
One thousand others of the name of Shashabindu who have died after performing many great horse sacrifices with large Dakshinas;
O king of kings, these holly royal sages, all of great achievements and great knowledge of the Shastras, waited upon the son of Vaivasvata, (Yama) in that assembly-hall.
Agastya, Matanga, Kala, Mrityu, the performers of sacrifices, the Sadhyas, Yogins, the Pitris, of the classes of Agnishvatta's Fenapa, Ushmapa, Svadhavana and Barhishada, and those other living Pitris.
The wheel of Time, the illustrious conveyor of sacrificial Ghee (Agni), all sinful men and those that died during winter solstice,
Those officers of Yama who have been appointed to count the allotted days of every body and every thing, Shingshapalasha, Kasha, and Kusha trees and all plants in their spiritual form, O king, waited upon Dharmaraja (Yama). These and many others are the Savasadhas (members of the assembly-hall) of the king of the Pitris (Yama).
O son of Pritha, they are so numerous that I am unable to describe them, either mentioning them by their names or deeds. The Sabha is capable of going everywhere at will, it is wide of extent; it is beautiful. Vishvakarma has built it after long continued asceticism.
O descendant of Bharata, it is resplendent with its own effulgence. It is visited by the ascetics of severe penances, of excellent vows, of truthful speech, of pure and peaceful mind, and of heart sanctified by holy deeds, all of shining bodies and all attired in spotless robes,
All adorned in bracelets and garlands, with car-rings of burnished gold, and with their own holy acts and with the marks of their orders.
Many illustrious Gandharvas and many Apsaras fill all parts of it with both instrumental and vocal music, and with sounds of dances and laughter.
O son of Pritha, sacred perfumes and sweet sounds and the celestials garlands are all there in crowds.
Hundreds of thousand of virtuous men of celestials beauty and great wisdom always waits upon and worship the illustrious lord of all created beings.
O king, such is the assembly-hall of the illustrious king of the Pitris (Yama). I shall now describe the Sabha of Varuna, named Pushkaramalini.
Narada said:
O Yudhishthira, the celestials Sabha of Varuna is matchless. Its dimension is exactly like that of Yama. It is adorned with white walls and arches.
It is built by Vishvakarma under the waters, it is surrounded on all sides by many celestials trees made of gems and jewels and producing excellent fruits and flowers.
Many plants with blue, yellow, black, dark, white and red blossoms has formed themselves into excellent bowers.
Hundreds and thousands of beautiful and variegated birds of various species always pour forth their melodies within them.
That Sabha is very delightful, it is neither cold nor hot. It is ruled by Varuna, and it consists many rooms furnished with many charming seats. Here sits Varuna with his queen (Varuni) adorned with celestials ornaments and jewels.
Adorned with celestials garlands, perfumed with celestials scents and besmeared with paste of celestials fragrance, the Adityas wait there upon the lord of waters Varuna.
O Lord of the earth, Vasuki, Takshaka, the Naga, named Airavata, Krishna, Lohita, Padma, the powerful Chitra, the Nagas called Kambalas, Ashvatara, Dhritarashtra, Balahaka, Maniman, Kundadhara, Karkate, Dhananjaya, Paniman, the powerful Kundaka, Pralhada, Mushikada, Janamejaya, all having auspicious marks and Mandalas and board hoods, these and many other Nagas, O Yudhishthira, wait without any anxiety upon the illustrious Varuna. O king, the son of Virochana, Bali, the subjugator of the earth, Naraka.
Sangradha, Viprachitti, those Danavas, called Kalakhanja, Suhanu, Durmukha, Shankha, Sumana, Sumati, Ghatodara, Mahaparshva, Krathana, Pithara, Vishvarupa, Svarupa, Virupa, Mahashira, Dasagriva, Bali, Meghavara,, Dasavara, Tittibha, Vitabhuta, Sanghrada, Indratapana, these Daityas and Danavas all adorned with ear-rings.
Floral garlands and crowns and attired in celestials robes, all blessed with boons and possessed of great bravery and immortality all well-conducted and of excellent vows, wait upon the illustrious Varuna, the wielder of the noose (as his weapon). O king, there (wait upon him) the four oceans, the rivers Bhagira-thi, the Kalindi, the Vidisha, the Vena, the rapid Narmada, the Vipasha, the Shatadru, the Chandrabhaga, the Sarasvati, the Iravati, the Vitasta, the Sindhu, the Devanadi, the Godavari, the Krishnavena, the queen of river, Kaveri, the Kimpuna, the Vishalya, the Vaitarini, the Tritiya, the Jyesthila, the great river Pamasha, the Sarayu, the Varavatya, that queen of rivers the Langali, the Karatoya, the Atreyi, the red Mahanada, the Laghanti, the Gomati, the Sandhya, and the Trisrotasi, these and many others, all scared and famous pilgrimages,
All other rivers, scared Tirthas, lakes wells, springs, tanks, large and small, all in their personified forms, the points of heavens, the earth, all the mountains, every species of aquatic animals, O Yudhishthira, O descendant of Bharata, all these wait upon the illustrious (Varuna). The Gandharvas and the Apsaras, experts in vocal and instrumental music.
Wait there upon Varuna singing his eulogistic songs. All the mountains, that are rich in jewels and that are charming,
Are present there engaged in sweet conversation. Varuna's minister named Sunabha, surrounded by his sons and grandsons, wait upon him along with the Pushkara Tirtha, called "Go". All these in their personified forms worship that deity Varuna.
O best of the Bharata race, such is the charming assembly-hall of Varuna that I saw before in my travel. Here now about the assembly-hall of Kubera.
Narada said:
O king, the greatly effulgent assembly-hall of Vaishravana (Kubera) is one hundreds Yojanas in length and seventy Yojanas in breadth.
O king, it was built by Vaishravana himself by his ascetic powers. It was like the peaks of the Kailasa (mountain), and it darkens the brilliancy of the moon herself.
Being supported by the Guhyakas it looks as if it is attached to the firmament. Being adorned with celestials made large places of gold, it displays great beauty.
It is extremely delightful and rendered fragrant with celestials perfumes. It is ornamented with many great jewels. Resembling the peaks of the mass of white clouds, it seems to float in the sky.
It is painted with colours of celestials gold; and therefore it appears as if it is adorned with streaks of lightning. Here (in this assembly-hall) sits on an excellent seat which is as bright as the sun and which is covered with celestials carpets and furnished with beautiful foot stools, the handsome king Vaishravana (Kubera) attired in excellent robes and adorned with costly ornaments and greatly brilliant ear-rings, and surrounded by his one thousand wives.
Delicious and cool breezes blowing though the generous forest of Mandaras and carrying the fragrance of the fragrant field of Jasmine and also of the lotuses on the breast of the Alaka (the celestials river) and of the gardens of Nandana (the celestials wood) wait upon the king of the Yakshas (Kubera).
O great king, there sing the celestials with the Gandharvas surrounded by various tribes of Apsaras in notes of celestials sweetness.
Mishrakeshi, Rambha, Chitrasena, Suchismita, Charunetra, Ghritachi, Menaka, Punjikasthala, Vishvachi, Sahajanya, Pramlocha, Urvashi, Ira, Varga, Saurabheyi, Samichi, Budbuda, Lata,
These and a thousand other Apsaras and Gandharvas, all great experts in music and dance, wait upon the lord of wealth.
That assembly-hall filled with the notes of instrumental and vocal music and with the sounds of various Gandharvas and Apsaras is extremely charming and delicious.
The Gandharvas named Kinnaras and others named Naras, Manibhadra, Dhanada Shvetabhadra, Guhyaka, Kasheraka, Gandakandu, the powerful Pradyota, Kustumburu, Pishacha, Gajakarna, Vishalaka, Varahakarna, Tamraushtha, Falakaksha, Falodaka, Hansachuda, Shikhavarta, Vibhishana, Pushpanana, Pingalaka, Shonitoda, Pravalaka, Vrikshavaspa, Aniketa and Chiravasas, O descendant of Bharata these, and many other Yakshas by hundreds and thousands (always wait upon Kubera).
The illustrious (goddess) Lakshmi and also Nala-Kubera always remain there(in that Sabha). Myself and many others like myself often go there.
Many Brahmana Rishis and many celestials Rishis always go there; many Rakshasas and Gandharvas, besides those already mentioned, wait in that assembly-hall upon the illustrious lord of wealth, O best of kings, there wait upon his friend the lord of wealth, being ever cheerful and knowing no fatigue, the illustrious (deity), the husband of Uma, the lord of all creatures, the three-eyed Col, the wielder of trident, the slayer of Asura Bhaganetra, the mighty deity of fearful bow, accompanied by his wife and surrounded by hundreds and thousands of spirits, some, some of dwarfish stature, some of fearful face, some hunch-backed, some with blood-red eyes, some of fearful yells, some feeding upon fat and flesh, some fearful to look at, and all armed with various weapons and possessed of the speed of wind.
With cheerful heart hundreds of Gandharva chiefs attired in their respective robes, Vishvavasu, Haha and Huhu.
Tumbaru, Parvata, Shailusha, the great expert in music Chitrasena, Chitraratha, these and innumerable other Gandharvas worship the lord of wealth. The chief of Vidyadharas, Chakradharma with his followers,
Wait there upon the lord, the aster of wealth, Hundreds and thousands of Kinnaras wait upon the lord, the master of wealth.
Innumerable kings with Bhagdatta at their head, and the Chief of Kimpurashas, Druma, the chief of the Rakshasas, Mahindra, Gandhamadana with many Yakshas, Gandharvas and Rakshasas (all wait upon Kubera).
The virtuous Vibhishana wait upon his elder brother, the lord (Kubera). The (mountains) Himalayas, Paripatra, Vindhya, Kailasa, Mandara,
Malaya, Dardura, Mahindra, Sunabha, the eastern and the western mountains.
These and many others in their personified forms with Mem at their head wait upon the illustrious lord of wealth.
The illustrious Nandishvara, Mahakala, many spirits with arrowy ears and sharp-pointed mouths, Kashtha, Kutimukha, Danti, greatly ascetic Vijaya, the powerful and the deep-roaring white bull of Shiva, many other Rakshasas and Pishachas, all wait upon the lord of wealth. The son of Pulastya (Kubera), surrounded by his attendants, always with his permission formerly used to worship by bowing his head to the great deity, the god of gods, Shiva, the creator of the three worlds. One day the high-souled Bhava (Shiva) made friendship with Kubera, and form that day he is always present in the assembly-hall of the lord of wealth.
Those best of Jewels, those princes of all wealth, Shankha and Padma (in their personified forms) accompanied by all gems, wait upon the lord of wealth.
O king, such is the charming assembly-hall of Kubera which I saw. It is capable of moving in the firmament. Now I shall describe to you the assembly-hall of the Grandsire. Listen to it.
Narada said:
O child, I shall describe to you the assembly-hall of the Grandsire. Listen to it. O descendant of Bharata, None is capable of describing it saying, "It is such".
O king, in the Deva Yuga of old, the illustrious deity, Aditya, came down from heaven and roamed at ease over the world of men.
O son of Pandu, having seen (before) the Sabha of the Self-created (Brahma), he roamed (on earth) in human form, wishing to see what could be seen here. On that occasion he spoke to me,
O best of the Bharata race, about that celestials Sabha (of the Grandsire) which is immeasurable and immaterial and which delights the heart of every creature by its splendour.
O best of the Pandavas, hearing the merits of that Sabha, I became desirous of seeing it. O king, I then spoke thus to Aditya.
"O illustrious one, I desire to see the sacred Sabha of the Grandsire. O exalted one, O lord of light, tell me by what ascetic penances, by what acts, by what charms, and by what rites, I may be able to see that sin-cleansing excellent Sabha."
O best of the Bharata race, hearing my words, the deity of one thousand eyes, the god of day (Aditya) replied, "Observe with mind rapt in meditation the Brahma-vow extending for a period of one thousand years." There upon I commenced that great vow on the breast of the Himalayas.
(When I completed my vow), then the illustrious and powerful and sinless Surya who knows no fatigue came and took me to the Sabha of Brahma.
O king, none is able to describe it by saying "It is such"; for it assumes an indescribable form with a moment.
O descendant of Bharata, it is impossible to indicate its dimensions or shape. I have never seen any this like it before.
O king, it ever contributes to the happiness of those that live within it. It is neither cold nor hot; hanger, thirst and all kinds of uneasiness disappear from one as soon as one enters into it.
It is made of brilliant gems of many kinds, it does not seem to be supported on any pillars, it knows no deterioration, it is eternal. That self effulgent Sabha seems to surpass the moon, the sun, and the fire by its numerous matchless and blazing celestials indications.
O king, in this (Sabha) sits the supreme deity, the Grandsire of all created things, having himself alone created everything, having himself alone created every thing by his own Maya. Daksha, Pracheta, Pulaha, Marichi, Lord Kashyapa,
Bhrigu, Atri, Vasishtha, Gautama, Angirasa, Pulastya, Kratu, Prahlada, Kardama, the Prajapati, Angirasa of the Atharva, Veda, the Balkhilyas, the Marichipas, Mind, Space Knowledge, Air, Heat water, Earth.
Sound, Touch, Form, Taste, Scent, Nature, the Modes, the Elemental and Prime causes of the world, O descendant of Bharata, (all these sit there).
The greatly effulgent Agastya, the great ascetic Markandeya, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja, Samvarata, Chyavana, the illustrious Durvasa, the pious Rishyashringa, the high souled Sanatkumara, who is a great ascetic and the preceptor of Yoga, Asita, Devala, Jaigishavya, learned in all truths, Rishabha, Ajitsatan, greatly resplendent Mani,
The Science of Healing with its eight branches, all these in their personified forms, O descendant of Bharata, wait there (in that assembly-hall). Moon with stars and constellations, sun with its rays.
Declaration of purpose in sacrifices, the Ritual principles, these illustrious and vow observing beings in their personified forms, and many others too numerous to mention, all wait upon Brahma. Artha Dharma, Kama, Joy, Aversion, Asceticism and Peace of Mind,
With them come the twenty seven different tribes of the Gandharvas and of the Apsaras and others also, and also the Lokapalas,
Shukra, Brihaspati, Budha, Angaraka, Shani, Rahu, and the other planets the Mantras, the special Mantras, Hasimaat, Vasumat, Adityas with Indra, the two Agnis,
The Vishvakarma, the Vasus, the Pitris, all kinds of sacrificial libations, the four Vedas, namely Rig, Sama, Yaju and Atharva, all Sciences and branches of learning,
Histories and all minor branches of learning, all the Vedangas, the Planets, the Sacrifices, the Soma, all the celestials,
Savitri, the seven kinds of Speech, Understanding, Patience, Memory, Wisdom, Intelligence, Fame, Forgiveness,
The hymns of the Sama Veda, the Science of hymns, various kinds of verses and songs, various commentaries with arguments, various dramas, poems and stories, abridged glosses, these and other holy worshipers of Brahma, all in their personified forms, O king, stay there,
O descendant of Bharata, O Yudhishthira, Kshanas, Lavas, Muhurattas (part of time), the day, the night, the fortnights, the months, the six seasons, the years, the Yugas, the four kinds of days. and nights, the eternal, indestructible, and undeteriorating, excellent Wheel of Time, the Wheel of Virtue, all of them stay there. Aditi, Diti, Danu, Shurasas, Vinata, Ira, Kalika, Shurabhidevi, Sarama, Gautami,
Prabha, Kadru, all these goddesses, the mothers of the celestials, Rudrani, Sree, Lakshmi, Bhadra,
Shashthi, the earth, Ganga, Hri, Svaha, Krita, Shura, Sachi, Pushti, Arundhati, Samvriti, Asha, Niyati, Srishti, Rati, these and other goddesses wait upon the Prajapati (Brahma).
The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Marutas, the Ashvinis, the Vishvadevas, the Sadhyas, the Pitris, all possessing the speed of mind, (wait upon the Grandsire).
O best of men, know that there are seven classes of Pitris, of which four classes have embodied forms, the three remaining classes have no forms.
O descendant of Bharata, it is well known amongst men that the illustrious Vairajas, Agnishvattas and Garhapatyas (three classes of the Pitris) roam in heaven.
O king, the Sompas, the Ekashringas, the Chaturvedas, and the Kalas (the four classes of the Pitris) are always worshipped amongst the four orders of men (namely Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras).
Being first gratified by Soma, these (Pitris) gratify Soma next. All these Pitris wait upon the Prajapati.
They cheerfully worship the immeasurably effulgent Brahma. The Rakshasas, the Pishachas, the Danavas, the Guhyakas,
The Nagas, the birds, the various other animals, all other mobile and immobile great beings, worship the Grandsire.
The lord of the celestials, Purandara (Indra), Varuna, Kubera, Yama, Mahadeva with Uma (his wife), all often go there (to that Sabha).
O king of kings, Mahasena also worship the Grandsire, know, O king, that Narayana himself, the celestials Rishis, the Rishis named Balkhilyas, all beings born of females or not born of females, nay whatever else is seen in the three worlds, mobile and immobile, were all seen by me there in that assembly-hall (of Brahma).
O son of Pandu, eighty thousand Rishis who have gained complete control over their sexual passions, and fifty thousand Rishis who have begotten offspring were also seen by me there.
All the dwellers of heaven see him (Brahma) there at their pleasure, and worshipping him by bowing down their heads all go back to the place from which they come.
O king of men, the immeasurably intelligent Brahma, the Grandsire of all created things, the self-reacted Supreme Deity of immeasurable effulgence, is ever kind equally on all creatures, honours each as each deserves and gratifies with sweet speech gifts of wealth and other enjoyable things all those Devas, Daityas, the Nagas, the Yakshas, the Brahmanas, the birds, the Kaleyas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras and all other illustrious beings that come to him as his guests.
O descendant of Bharata, O child that charming Sabha is always being agitated with crowds of beings coming and going.
Filled with every splendour and worshipped by the Brahmarshis, that celestials Sabha, the dispeller of all fatigue and misery, looks extremely beautiful, it being brightened with the wealth of Brahma.
O best of kings, as your Sabha is matchless in the world of men, so is matchless in all the worlds that Sabha which was seen by me before.
O descendant of Bharata, I saw these Sabhas before in the region of the celestials. Your this Sabha is the foremost in the world of men.
Yudhishthira said:
O best of eloquent men, O lord, from your descriptions it appears that all the monarchs (of the earth) are in the Sabha of the son of Vaivasvata (Yama).
O lord, you have said that in the Varuna's Sabha are the Nagas, the chief Daityas, the rivers, and the oceans,
And in that of the lord of wealth (Kubera) are the Yakshas, Guhyakas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, and the exalted Vishvadeva (Shiva).
You have said that in the Sabha of the Grandsire are the great Rishis, all the celestials, and all the Shastras.
O Rishi, you have said that in the Sabha of Shakra (Indra) are the celestials, the Gandharvas and the various great Rishis.
O great Rishi, you have said that one king namely the royal sage Harishchandra, is in the Sabha of the illustrious lord of the celestials.
What act, what asceticism, what steady vows were performed by that greatly famous (king) that he has alone become equal to Indra?
O Brahmana, how did you meet with my father, the illustrious Pandu, now living in the region of the Pitris?
O exalted one, O Rishi of excellent vows, what did he tell you? Tell me all. I am filled with great curiosity to hear all this.
Narada said:
O king of kings, O lord, I shall tell you all about the greatness of the greatly intelligent Harishchandra which you ask me to narrate.
That king (Harishchandra) was very powerful and an Emperor over all the monarchs of the earth. All the kings of the world were under his sway.
O king of men, riding alone on his car adorned with gold, he conquered all the seven islands (of the world) by the prowess of his weapons.
O great king, having conquered the whole of the earth with her mountains, forests and woods, he made preparation to perform a great Rajasuya sacrifice.
All the monarchs at his command brought wealth to that sacrifice. They became the distributors of food to the Brahmanas in that sacrifice.
The king (Harishchandra) in that sacrifice cheerfully gave away to the sacrificial Brahmanas wealth five times more than what each asked.
At the conclusion of the sacrifice, the king gratified the Brahmanas that assembled there from various quarters with large presents of various kinds of wealth.
Having been gratified by various kinds of food and enjoyable things given to them to their fill and by the heaps of jewels distributed amongst them, the Brabmanas said, 'The king Harishchandra has became superior to all the kings in energy and in renown".
O king, O best of the Bharata race, know that for this reason, Harishchandra has shone more brightly than thousands of other kings.
O king, having concluded his great sacrifice, the mighty Harishchandra, being installed in his Empire, looked resplendent.
O best of the Bharata race, all the kings that perform the great Rajasuya sacrifices pass their time in bliss in company with Indra.
O best of the Bharata race, those kings, that give their lives on the field of battle without turning their backs, go to the abode (of Indra) and pass their time in felicity.
Those also that give up their lives after undergoing severe ascetic penances go to the same region and shine brightly there for ages.
O son of Kunti, O descendant of Kuru, seeing the good fortune of Harishchandra and being much astonished at it, your father Pandu has told you something (through me).
O king of men, knowing that I was coming to the world of men, he bowed to me and said, “Tell this to Yudhishthira,
That he can subjugate the whole earth as his brothers are obedient to him". O descendant of Bharata, he said, "Let him perform the great Rajasuya sacrifice.
He is my son, if he performs that sacrifice, I can go like Harishchandra to the region of Indra and pass my time there in everlasting bliss in company with Indra in his Sabha."
O king, I told him thus (in reply), "If I go to the world of men, I shall speak to your son." I have told you what Pandu told me.
O best of men, O son of Pandu, accomplish then the intentions of your father. If you do this, you will go with your ancestors to the region of Indra.
O king, it is said that this sacrifice is full of many obstacles. The Brahma Rakshasas who always harm sacrifices search for holes when this sacrifice is begun.
On the commencement of such a sacrifice a war may break out which may destroy the Kshatriyas, and which may be the cause of the total destruction of the whole world. A slight obstacle (to it) may cause the ruin of the whole earth.
O king of kings, reflecting on all this, do what is beneficial to you. Be always watchful in protecting the four orders (of your subjects).
Grow in prosperity, enjoy felicity gratify the Brahmans with wealth. I have thus answered in detail all that you have asked me. With your permission, I shall now go towards the city of the Dasharahas (Dwarka).
Vaishampayana said:
O Janamejaya, O king, having said this to the son of Pritha, Narada went away with those Rishis with whom he had come.
O descendants of Kuru, on the departure of Narada, the King (Yudhishthira), the son of Pritha, began to think with his brothers (how to perform) that best of sacrifice Rajasuya.
Yudhishthira said:
I shall do what you have said. My knowledge has increased by your instructions. Having said this, the king did as he was directed and gained (the sovereignty of) the earth bounded by the belt of sea.
Narada said:
The king who is ever engaged in the protection of the four orders (the four chief casts) passes his days in happiness in this world and attains the region of Shakra (Indra) in the next (world).
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