Mahābhārata

M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said When that hero that leader of a car-division viz., Subhadra's son had been slain in battle, leaving their cars and doffing their coats of mail and throwing aside their bows, all the Pandavas sat surrounding king Yudhishthira. They were then brooding upon their grief with their hearts occupied with the thought of the deceased son of Subhadra.

M. N. Dutt: Then upon the death of the brother's son, the heroic and mighty car-warrior Abhimanyu, king Yudhishthira began to lament totally unmanned by grief.

M. N. Dutt: Desirous of doing an act agreeable to me, he (Abhimanyu) penetrated the array of Drona with the least difficulty, like a lion penetrating into the midst of a herd of kine.

M. N. Dutt: Meeting with him in battle, fierce bowmen, endowed with heroism, accomplished in the use of weapons and incapable of being easily defeated in battle, were compelled to turn back.

M. N. Dutt: Our implacable enemy Dushasana having encountered him in battle, was quickly compelled by his shafts to retreat, being nearly deprived of his senses.

M. N. Dutt: Having crossed the ocean-like host of Drona's troops difficult of being defeated, that nephew of Krishna was despatched to Death's mansion, upon encountering the son of Dushasana.

M. N. Dutt: Oh, now that Abhimanyu is slain, how shall I look upon Kunti's son Arjuna or upon the auspicious Subhadra bereft of her that dearloved son!

M. N. Dutt: What meaningless, disjointed and incoherent words shall we have to say today to both Hrishikesha and Dhananjaya!

M. N. Dutt: It is myself, desirous of my own good and intent on victory, that have done this injury to Subhadra, Arjuna and Keshava!

M. N. Dutt: A covetous man never finds his own shortcomings; and it is from folly, that covetousness proceeds. Desirous of collecting the honey, I could not see that such a fall threatened me.

M. N. Dutt: He who was a mere boy and who should have been indulged with good food, conveyance, beds and ornaments, alas, even such a boy was placed by us in the thick of battle!

M. N. Dutt: Like a steed of spirited mettle that sacrifices itself rather than obey the reins, how could that boy of tender years, unskilled in the modes of warfare reap good in such a perilous situation?

M. N. Dutt: Alas, after him, today we also shall lay ourselves down on the field of battle, being consumed by the glances of grief cast by Vibhatsu inflamed with rage.

M. N. Dutt: Arjuna is free from covetousness, intelligent, bashful, forbearing, handsome, powerful, endowed with well-developed limbs, respectful to the elders, heroic, amiable and devoted to truth; the feats of that one of fierce deeds even the gods applaud; that one of puissant energy slew Nivatakavachas and also the Kalakeyas; by him were the opponents of the great Indra, the dwellers of the golden cities, viz., the Paulamas slain with their followers, within the twinkling of any eye; that lord gives assurance of safety to those who seek to be protected from their enemies. Alas, today, we have not been competent through fear, to save the son even of that one!

M. N. Dutt: Surely a great fear has overtaken the mighty host of the son of Dhritarashtra. Filled with rage at the slaughter of his son the son of Pritha (Arjuna) without doubt extirpate the Kauravas.

M. N. Dutt: It is also evident that the mean-minded Duryodhana, having mean counselors, that destroyer of his own partisans, seeing the destruction of the troops and overtaken by grief, shall give up his life.

M. N. Dutt: Beholding this son of Indra's son endowed with unequalled energy and prowess fallen on the field of battle, neither victory, nor kingdom, nor immortality, nor equality of rank with the celestials, does afford me the least joy.

M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thus when the son of Kunti, king Yudhishthira, was indulging in lamentations, there came to him the mighty sage Krishna Dvaipayana.

M. N. Dutt: Then having duly worshipped him, Yudhishthira resumed his seat; and afflicted with grief at the death of his brother's son, he then thus addressed the Rishi.

M. N. Dutt: Yudhisthira said The son of Subhadra has been slain in battle when fighting with many, by several fierce bowmen of vicious tendencies, who, mighty car-warriors as they were, surrounded him on all sides.

M. N. Dutt: That layer of hostile heroes that son of Subhadra, was a mere child in years and in understanding. And he fought in battle against overwhelming numbers.

M. N. Dutt: During the course of the fight I said to him “Open a passage for us," then he penetrated into the hostile array and then we could not follow him, prevented by the ruler of the Sindhus. an

M. N. Dutt: Those who live by fighting should surely desire equal combats. But his battle that the enemy fought with Abhimanyu was extremely unfair one.

M. N. Dutt: It is this that burns me with the fire of grief and draws tears of sorrow from my eyes. Brooding over this thought I cannot regain the tranquility of my mind.

M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Then the almighty Vyasa addressing Yudhishthira who was thus bewailing and was unmanned by the force of his grief, spoke the following words.

M. N. Dutt: Vyasa said O Yudhishthira, O son of superior wisdom, son who are well-learnt in all the branches of knowledge, O foremost of the Bharatas, people of your stamp are never confounded in seasons of calamity.

M. N. Dutt: This hero (Abhimanyu), this foremost of all male beings, has attained paradise after having slain numerous enemies in batile and having achieved many feats not at all boy-like.

M. N. Dutt: O Yudhishthira, this law (that created being shall die) cannot be violated. O Bharata, Death takes away all Gods, Danavas and Gandharvas, (without exception).

M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said These rulers of earth, all endued with great might, are now lying on the bare ground of the battle-field being slain and deprived of their senses.

M. N. Dutt: Some of them possessed strength equal to that of ten thousand elephants; some, on the other hand, possessed the impetus and force of the very tempest. They have all been slain in battle by beings of their species and are all equal now.

M. N. Dutt: I do not see the slayer of these created beings in battle, (save one of their own class). They were possessed of prowess and endued with might and energy.

M. N. Dutt: Alas even those who entertained in their heart the hopes of conquering one another in battle, are now lying slain deprived of their senses, in spite of all their wisdom.

M. N. Dutt: The significance of the word 'Death' hastoday been clearly brought home (to our minds), as almost all these rulers of earth possessed of fierce prowess, lie dead on the field of battle.

M. N. Dutt: These heroes having succumbed to their foes and now lying motionless and shorn of their pride. Many princes inflamed with wrath have fallen upon the fire of their antagonist's anger.

M. N. Dutt: On this point a great doubt has taken possession of me, namely, whence has the word "dead" been derived? Whose offspring is Death? Whence does it come and why does it take away creatures? O you equal to a celestial, O grandsire, speak to me about all this.

M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Then that illustrious sage spoke these comforting words to Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, who had been questioning him in the above manner.

M. N. Dutt: Vyasa said On this subject, O monarch, an ancient story is cited as an example, story that was related to Akampana by Narada.

M. N. Dutt: So far as I know, O king, Akampana, while in this world, was also afflicted with the overwhelming and unbearable grief caused by his son's death.

M. N. Dutt: I shall now recount to you the excellent story of the origin of Death. Hearing that story you shall be freed from grief and from the bondage of affection.

M. N. Dutt: Listen to me, O sire, as I go on repeating that ancient story. This story is excellent and enhances the period of life and kills sorrow and bestows health.

M. N. Dutt: It is holy, capable of destroying large numbers of foes and the most auspicious of all auspicious things. Verily this story is like the study or recital of the Vedas themselves.

M. N. Dutt: It should, O king, be every morning listened to be those foremost of the twice-borns, who desire to obtain long-lived sons, sovereignty and their own welfare.

M. N. Dutt: In the days of yore during the Krita-yuga, O Sire, there lived a certain king by name Akampana. Once on a time, on the field of battle, amongst his foes, he was on the point of succumbing to his enemies.

M. N. Dutt: He had a son by name Hari, who was equal to Narayana himself in might; he was exceedingly handsome, accomplished in the use of weapons, intelligent, powerful and equal to Shakra in battle.

M. N. Dutt: Surrounded by countless foes on the field of battle, he shot thousands of shafts at the warriors and elephants that encompassed him.

M. N. Dutt: Having achieved many feats difficult of being achieved, that afflicter of foes, 0 Yudhisthira, was slain amidst this troops by his adversaries.

M. N. Dutt: Performing the funeral ceremonies of his son, king Akampana became purified. But bewailing his son, day and night. he could not regain his peace of mind.

M. N. Dutt: Then cognisant of his grief caused by the death of his son, there came near him the celestial sage Narada himself.

M. N. Dutt: That monarch of illustrious qualities, beholding the sage come, worshipped him duly and then spoke to him these words.

M. N. Dutt: And then that ruler of men spoke to the Rishi all that had happened, his defeat by his foes and the slaughter of his son by them.

M. N. Dutt: Akampana said My son of great energy and mighty equal to Indra or Vishnu himself in effulgence, has been killed in battle by his numerous enemies, when engaged in fighting vigorously with them.

M. N. Dutt: But, O illustrious sage, who is this Death, what is his prowess, might and manliness? O foremost of intelligent beings, I desire to know the real truth about all these questions.

M. N. Dutt: Vyasa said Having heard those words of his, the lord Narada, that bestower of boons, related this story that is capable of destroying the great sorrow caused by the death of one's son.

M. N. Dutt: Hear, O mighty-armed monarch, this long story, exactly, O ruler of earth, as I myself have heard it.

M. N. Dutt: In the beginning of the creations, the Grandsire Brahma created all beings. Then that highly powerful one, seeing that the beings of his creation suffered no decay.

M. N. Dutt: Fell to thinking, O king, as to how he should cause their destruction. Meditating long over the subject, he then failed to find out any means of destruction, O ruler of earth.

M. N. Dutt: (Then he waxed wroth) and inconsequence of that wrath then, a fire sprang out from the skies. That fire spread in all the quarters of heaven and it began to consume all the regions of the universe.

M. N. Dutt: Thereat heaven, earth and the welkin, ail became overspread with tongues of flame. And that Almighty lord then burnt down the universe with its mobile and immobile creatures and objects.

M. N. Dutt: Then mobile and immobile, all creatures were annihilated. Verily the puissant Brahma did all this, frightening the worlds with the fierceness of his angers.

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Hara, otherwise called Sthanu, wearing matted locks on his head, that Lord of all the night-rangers, sought shelter from the divine Brahma that foremost of all gods.

M. N. Dutt: Thus when Sthanu had fallen (at Brahma's feet) desirous of doing good to the creatures, that highest divinity, the foremost of all asceties, burning with effulgence said-

M. N. Dutt: What desire of yours shall we fulfill. O you that deserve to have all your wishes gratified! O son, you are born out of our will. We shall accomplish all that is dear unto you. Speak, O Sthanu, what you desire (to have).

M. N. Dutt: Sthanu said O Lord, you did take great pains for creating various creatures. All these different sorts of beings have been created and reared by you.

M. N. Dutt: Those very creatures are now being burnt down by the fire of your anger. Seeing their condition, I am filled with compassion; O Lord, O illustrious One, be merciful on them.

M. N. Dutt: Brahma said I had no desire for destroying the worlds. I wanted to leave them in peace; I always desired the earth's welfare. But then anger took possession of me.

M. N. Dutt: The goddess of earth, over-burdened with the heavy weight of creatures, always solicited me for destroying the beings on her surface, O mighty God.

M. N. Dutt: Then though thinking in many ways, I could not find out the means for destroying the infinite creation. At this, anger entered into me.

M. N. Dutt: Rudra said Be propitiated, O ruler of the universe and do not cherish wrath for the destruction of creatures. Do you not any longer destroy the mobile and immobile creatures.

M. N. Dutt: Through your grace, O almighty Lord, the universe is divided in three divisions, viz., the Past, the Present and the Future. Let it remain as it is;

M. N. Dutt: You have, O lord, blazed up in anger from anger this fire has proceeded and that fire now consumes rocks, trees and rivers.

M. N. Dutt: And all kinds of shrubs and grass. Verily that fire is blasting the mobile and immobile universe. Behold the mobile and immobile universe reduced to ashes. Be propitiated, O almighty God! give not way to wrath. Even this boon do I beg.

M. N. Dutt: All created things, O Divine Being' that belong to you, are being consumed; therefore withdraw your energy, let it be quenched in your ownself.

M. N. Dutt: Look at the creatures of your own creation, filled with a desire for doing good to them all. Do that by which all these beings endued with life, may continue to live.

M. N. Dutt: Let not these things with their prowess of propagation weakened, be exterminated. O Creator of the world, you have employed me to be their protector.

M. N. Dutt: O Lord of the universe, let not this mobile and immobile universe be destroyed. You are inclined to show mercy and it is for this reason that I now speak thus.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said Hearing these words (of Mahadeva) the Divine Brahma, desirous of accomplishing the good of the created beings, withdrew in his own inner self his anger that had been excited.

M. N. Dutt: Quenching that fire, the illustrious benefactor of the universe, the Supreme Lord, declared the duties of Production and Emancipation.

M. N. Dutt: When that high-souled god had thus extinguished that fire of his wrath, there came out from the various outlets of his senseorgans, a female figure. She was dark and red and tawny and her tongue, countenance and eyes were red and she was adorned with two shining ear-rings and various other brilliant ornaments.

M. N. Dutt: Coming out of his body, she betook to the southern quarter and she smilingly cast glances at those two lords of the universe.

M. N. Dutt: Then Brahma, that controller of the creation and destruction of the worlds, called her by the name of "Death." And, Oruler of men, he said to her – "Slay" these beings of my creation.

M. N. Dutt: You are the offspring of the wrath I harboured for the destruction of the universe. Therefore kill you all these creations including the learned and the idiot, at my own behest. Thus you shall attain your own good."

M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to by him, that lady of lotuslike eyes, called “Death," meditated for a long time and then began to wail aloud helplessly in plaintive voice.

M. N. Dutt: Then the grandsire with two hands caught the tears that flowed from her eyes, for the welfare of all creatures and entreated her in the following words.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said Then that helpless lady restraining her grief within herself, thus addressed the lord of the people, with folded palms and bending like a creeper with humility.

M. N. Dutt: Death said O most eloquent of all speakers, how shall I, created a female by you, do such heartless and mischievous deeds, knowing them at the same time to be so?

M. N. Dutt: I fear sin greatly-O illustrious lord, be propitious on me. Sons, friends, brothers, fathers and husbands are always dear to creatures. If they are destroyed by my hands, they that will incur the loss, shall endeavour to avenge themselves on me. It is them that I fear.

M. N. Dutt: The drops of tears that will fall from the eyes of grief-stricken and bewailing persons. Fill me with terror. Thus affrighted, O illustrious Lord, I seek your protection.

M. N. Dutt: O foremost of the celestials, O Divine Being, I will not go to Yama's abode. O you. that bestow boons, I do propitiate you, by bending my head low and by folding my hands, O Grandsire of the worlds, I desire the fulfillment of even this wish of mine at your hands.

M. N. Dutt: O Lord of the creation, I desire to carry on ascetic austerities through your grace. O great Lord, O divine being, accord me this boon.

M. N. Dutt: Permitted by you, I shall go to the excellent hermitage of Dhenuka and there shall I practice ascetic austerities of the most severe sort, being engaged in worshipping yourself.

M. N. Dutt: O Lord of the celestials, I shall not be able to destroy the dear lives of living creatures, when they will weep in grief. Save me from unrighteousness.

M. N. Dutt: Brahma said You have been created, O Death, for causing the destruction of creatures; go, destroy all the creatures; entertain no scruples whatsoever.

M. N. Dutt: This must have happened and nothing could have prevented it. Carry out my command; none in the world will find any fault with you.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said Thus spoken to, the lady became pleased and she stood with her face turned towards the illustrious god. And out of desire for doing good to the creatures, she did not set her heart upon the destruction of creature.

M. N. Dutt: Then that Divinity, the Lord of the lords of creatures also remained silent for a while; and the grandsire soon became satisfied with his ownself.

M. N. Dutt: Then turning his eyes upon the creatures he smiled. Then the creatures lived cheerfully as before, undisturbed by premature death.

M. N. Dutt: When that invincible and illustrious divinity had cast his wrath off, that lady also went away from the presence of that intelligent being.

M. N. Dutt: Then without having promised the destruction of creatures, she went away, O king; and then Death hastily came to Dhenuka.

M. N. Dutt: There she practised a vow excellent and greatly severe. There she stood on one leg for sixteen times ten billions of years and five times ten billions also, through compassion for living creatures and through desire for doing them good, all the time withholding her senses from their dear objects.

M. N. Dutt: Once more, O monarch, she stood there on one leg for twenty one times ten billions of years.

M. N. Dutt: Then she roved for ten times ten thousand billions of years with the animals. Then once again repairing to the holy river Nanda that was full of cool and translucent water.

M. N. Dutt: She passed in those waters eight thousand years. Practising austere penances on the banks of the Nanda, she purged herself of all her sins.

M. N. Dutt: Then observant of her vows, she first visited the sacred Kousiki; living upon air and water only, she practised penances there.

M. N. Dutt: Going then to Panchaganga and afterwards to Vetasa, that already-purified lady, pulled her own body down by performing various kinds of asceticism.

M. N. Dutt: Repairing next to the Ganga and thence to the great Meru, she remained inert like a block of stone, devoting herself in the practice of Pranayama (suspension of breaths).

M. N. Dutt: From that place repairing to the crest of the Himavat mountain, where, in the days of yore, the gods had performed their sacred sacrifices, that excellent and auspicious damsel stood on her tip toe for a billion of years.

M. N. Dutt: Thence going to Puskara and Gokarna and Naimisha and Malaya, she pulled her health down by the practice of penances after her own choice.

M. N. Dutt: Without worshipping any other god and with firin devotion to the Grandsire, she lived and propitiated him in every way and everywhere.

M. N. Dutt: Thereafter the undeteriorating Creator of die universe, thus propitiated, spoke to her with

M. N. Dutt: "O Death, what for are you under-going all these severe ascetic penances?" Thereat Death once more addressed the illustrious divinity, the Grandsire, sayingनाहं हन्यां प्रजा देव स्वस्थाश्चाक्रोशतीस्तथा।

M. N. Dutt: "O God, I shall not be able to destroy of living creatures. They are all in the enjoyment of health and do not envy one another. O Lord, even this is the boon that I want at your hands, Omaster of all.

M. N. Dutt: I am afraid of sin; and it is for this reason hat I am engaged in the practice of ascetic austerities. 0 blessed Lord! vouchsafe assurances of eternal safety to overwhelmed with terror.

M. N. Dutt: A woman by birth, helpless and sinless, I iimplore your mercy, be you my refuge." Thereupon that Divinity possessed to the knowledge of the past, the present and the future thus spoke to her again.

M. N. Dutt: “in destroying all these creatures, O Death, vou shall reap no sin. My words, O handsome dainsel, can never be false. me

M. N. Dutt: Therefore, O blessed lady, destroy these four kinds of creatures. Eternal virtue shall always be yours.

M. N. Dutt: Yama, the Regent of the worlds and the vai tous maladies, shall help you in your work of destruction. Myself and the celestials also will bestow boons on you;

M. N. Dutt: So that purged of all sins and perfectly purified, you shall attain glory. Having been thus spoken to, O mighty monarch, she, with her palms folded, thus addressed the Lord, saluting him by bending her head low. "If, O lord, such be the state of things and if it cannot do without me.

M. N. Dutt: Then I place your behest upon my own head. However hear what I have to say. Let covetousness, anger, animosity malice, dissensions and folly and shamelessness and other stern passions tear to pieces the frames of corporeal beings.'

M. N. Dutt: Brahma said It shall be as you desire, O Death. Do you begin to destroy the creatures. No sin will hang on you; I shall not seek to injure you, O blessed damsel.

M. N. Dutt: There tears of yours which I hold in my hands, even they will become maladies, starting into existence from the creatures themselves. They will destroy men whose lifetime has been exhausted. No sin will hang on you. Do not be frightened.

M. N. Dutt: Verily sin shall not be yours. You shall be the righteousness of living creatures, and the presiding deity of that righteousness. Devoted to virtue and observant of your duties, you shall control all creatures. Therefore destroy always the lives of these corporeal creatures.

M. N. Dutt: Renouncing both desire and anger, snatch out the lives of all living creatures. In this way you shall sccure eternal merit. Sin will destroy those who are vicious in their conduct of life.

M. N. Dutt: Carrying out my command, purify yourself. The task of plunging those who are wicked, in their own sins, will be left to you. Therefore renounce desire and anger and begin destroying those creatures possessed of life.”

M. N. Dutt: Narada said Thereafter that lady, seeing that she was persistently called by the name of Death, became afraid of acting otherwise. And in fear of Brahma's malediction, she said Yea.' Unable to set at naught the behests of Brahma, she began, renouncing wrath and desire, 10 deprive living creatures of their lives, when their last days came.

M. N. Dutt: Death is the lot of all living creatures. Maladies originate out of living creatures. Maladies are the abnormal conditions of living beings and they are pained by them. Discase and death fall to the share of all creatures. Therefore do you not indulge in fruitless griet

M. N. Dutt: Upon the death of living creatures, their senses go with them; and achieving their respective functions in the other world, they come back with their possessors, (when they are born anew). Thus all creatures including the gods going thither, have to act like mortals, O best of all kings.

M. N. Dutt: The wind that is tremendous. of dreadful roars and great strength, omni-present and endowed with energy infinite, even that wind will tear open the bodies of living creatures. It will, in this action, put forth no active energy. nor will it suspend its workings.

M. N. Dutt: Even all the gods and qualified with the adjective mortal. Therefore, o foremost of kings, do not bewail you son. Your son having ascended to heaven, is enjoying perpetual happiness, in those delightful regions allotted to the heroes.

M. N. Dutt: Renouncing all grief, he has obtained the fellowship of the virtuous. Death has been ordained for all corporeal beings by the Creator himself. So when their days are numbered, they suffer destruction. The death of creatures is brought about by their ownselves.

M. N. Dutt: Creatures destroy themselves. Death does not destroy any one, armed though she is with the mortal dart. Therefore the wise, knowing death to be unavoidable being ordained by Brahma, never lament for those that are dead. Now knowing that death is ordained by the highest divinity, renounce, without delay, your sorrow for you son.

M. N. Dutt: Vyasa said Having heard these words of grave signification uttered by Narada, Narada, king Akampana, addressing his friend Narada said-

M. N. Dutt: "O illustrious one, O foremost of Rishis, I am gratified an my sorrow has left me. Hearing this story from you, I am contented and I salute you.”

M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to by that monarch, Narada, that excellent of all the foremost sages, that celestial sage of immeasurable soul, speedily went back to the Nandana forest.

M. N. Dutt: The frequent audition as well as the recital of this piece of history is held to be purifying, fame-giving leading to paradise, life-giving and fraught with all blessings.

M. N. Dutt: Having heard this instructive story, renounce your sorrow, O king Yudhishthira, you know the duties of a Kshatriya and the region they may attain to after death.

M. N. Dutt: The mighty car-warrior Abhimanyu endued with great energy has ascended to heaven, having slain his enemies in battle, before the presence of all bowmen. That mighty carwarrior, that fierce bowman, has been slain, when fighting, with swords, lances, maces and bows. He is the sinless son of the moon and is now dissolved in the lunar essence.

M. N. Dutt: Therefore, O son of Pandu, mustering all your courage, yourself accompanied by your brothers, speedily march out for battle inflamed with wrath and without allowing your senses to become stupefied.

M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Having heard of the origin of Death and her strange deeds, the very virtuous king Yudhishthira, once more humbly addressing

M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said In many blessed countries there were many many monarchs, of virtuous deeds and of prowess equal to that of Shakra (Indra) himself. O Brahman, they were royal sages, sinless and lovers of truthful speech.

M. N. Dutt: Once again, do you address me in words of grave signification and comfort me with the story of the feats of those royal sages of ancient days.

M. N. Dutt: What was the amount of the sacrificial gifts made by them? Who were those royal sages of high soul and virtuous practices that made them? Tell me all this, O almighty Rishi!

M. N. Dutt: There lived in days gone by, a king known by the name of Srinjaya. He had a son who was named Shaivya; the sages Parvata and Narada were his friends.

M. N. Dutt: Once on a time desirous of an interview with him, the Rishis entered his palace. Being duly adored by him, they continued to live there happily.

M. N. Dutt: One day when Srinjaya was seated with the sages at his ease, his very beautiful daughter of pure smiles came to him.

M. N. Dutt: Then saluted by that daughter of his, he greeted her with benedictions after her own desire, when she was standing beside him.

M. N. Dutt: Beholding that girl, Parvata smilingly said these words to Srinjaya-"Whose daughter is this girl of restless glances and auspicious marks?

M. N. Dutt: Is she the effulgence of the solar orb or the blazing flame of Fire? Or is she Sri or Hari or Kirti or Dhriti or Pushti or Siddhi or the splendour of the moon?"

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon king Srinjaya replied to the celestial sage who spoke those words, thus-"O almighty Rishis, this damsel is my daughter and she solicits my blessings."

M. N. Dutt: Thereafter Narada addressed the king saying-"O monarch, if you desire to secure great good, give me this your daughter in marriage.”

M. N. Dutt: Filled with delight (at the Rishi's proposal) Srinjaya said to Narada-"I shall give her in marriage to you." Thercat the other sage Parvata excited with wrath, said these words to Narada.

M. N. Dutt: "You have accepted this girl for your wife, whom before you I had chosen in my heart to be my wife; and because you have done this, you shall not, O Brahmana, go to heaven at your will."

M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to, Narada said to him these words in reply "The husband's heart, his speech, the giver's consent, the speeches of both of them, the actual gift made with the sprinkling of water. The mantras specified for holding the bride's hands, these have been said to be the indications by which one becomes know as the husband of a damsel. But these Ceremonials are not sufficient, the essential one being the walk for seven paces after the marriage.

M. N. Dutt: "Without any provocation whatever, you have pronounced a curse on me. Therefore you also shall not go to heaven save in my company."

M. N. Dutt: Thus having cursed each other those two sages continued to live there. Meanwhile Srinjaya, desirous of obtaining a son and purifying himself, began to gratify the Vipras to the best of his resources, with drinks, garments and foods. After a while, those Brahmanas devoted to the study of the Vedas and acquainted with the contents of the scriptures and their various auxiliaries, being gratified with the king, who desired to have a son, came in a body to Narada and said to him-"Give this king a son of the sort he desires."

M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to by the regenerate sages, Narada said Let it be so': and then he addressed Srinjaya saying-'0) royal sage, the Brahmanas have been gratified with you and they desire to bestow a son on you.

M. N. Dutt: Good betide you. Ask for the boon about the kind of the son wish to have.' Thus addressed, the king with folded palms, solicited the boon of getting a son endued with all qualities, famous, possessed of glory, highly energetic and subduer of all foes, whose urine, excreta, secretions and perspiration would be gold.”

M. N. Dutt: The king then obtained a son in due time who came to be called Suvarnasthivi on earth and through the virtue of that boon the child began to increase the wealth of his father beyond all limit.

M. N. Dutt: King Srinjaya then caused all objects of his desire to be made of gold; and his houses and walls and fortresses and the residencies of the Brahınanas, his beds, conveyances, plates and all kinds of cups, saucers and the mansion he possessed and all implements and utensils, domestic and otherwise. Were caused to be made of gold. In the course of time his treasure went on increasing

M. N. Dutt: Then certain robbers hearing of the prince and seeing him to be such banded together and endeavoured to do mischief to the king.

M. N. Dutt: Some of them said. "We shall seize the son of the king. He is the mine of gold of his father. Let us therefore try to seize him."

M. N. Dutt: Thereafter those robbers, led by covetousness, entered the king's palace; and forcibly look away the young prince Suvarnasthivi.

M. N. Dutt: Seizing him and carrying him to the woods, lose idiots not knowing what to do with him. (Out of avarice slew him and cut him to pieces. But they found not any gold inside his frame. When that child was deprived of his life, all the gold consequent the sages boon, disappeared.

M. N. Dutt: The robbers then, ignorant and idiotic as they were, slew one another; for having slain that wonderful prince, they also met with their destruction.

M. N. Dutt: These robbers of wicked deed were plunged to an awful and unimaginable hell. Then on beholding his son obtained through a boon slain, that one of great asceticism, viz.,

M. N. Dutt: King Srinjaya began to lament plaintively being afflicted with terrible grief. Hearing the king afflicted with grief caused by his son's death thus lament.

M. N. Dutt: The celestial Rishi Narada revealed himself before the king. And he spoke these words to the bewailing and woc-stricken and senseless.

M. N. Dutt: King Srinjaya. O Yudhishthira listen on 10 those words. Narada said : You shall have to die, O Srinjaya, with many of your desirc', unfulfiled.

M. N. Dutt: Although we the reciters of the sacre. Veda live under your roof. O Srinjaya, we had ) hear of the death of even Avikshita's son Marutta.

M. N. Dutt: Piqued with Brihaspati, he had compelled even Samvarta himself to be a office-bearer in one of his greal sacrifices. To that royal sage, the illustrious divinity (Mahadeva) had given wealth in the shape of a golden plateau of Himavat. There with Marutta had accomplished numerous sacrifices. After the accomplishment of his sacrifices, various tribes of celestials, the creators of the world, accompanied by Indra and headed by Brihaspati, used to come to him. All the carpets and furniture's of his sacrificial compound were made of gold.

M. N. Dutt: At his sacrifices the twice-born sects desirous of food all ate as it pleased them-food that was purified and suited to their tastes. At all his sacrifices, milk and curds and clarified butter and honey and other kinds of drinks and edibles, all of the finest sort and garments and ornaments precious and desirable, used to be given to Brahmanas thoroughly acquainted with the scriptures. The very gods became the distributors of food in Marutta's palace.

M. N. Dutt: The Visvadevas were the courtiers of that royal sage the son of Avikshita. By him were propitiated the dwellers of heaven with oblations of clarified butter; gratified therewith, the gods, in their turn, increased that sovereign's wealth of corn by profuse showers of rain. He always contributed to the pleasure of the Rishis, the ancestral manes and the celestials and thereby made them propitious, as also by practising Brahmacharya, by the study of the Vedas, by observance of obsequial rites and by offering all kinds of gifts. His beds and carpets and conveyances and his vast treasures of gold difficult to be given away, in reality, all that vast among of wealth of his, were voluntarily distributed among the Brahmanas. Indra himself wished him well. His subjects were made happy by him. Performing all acts through piety, he finally attained to the eternal regions of bliss acquired by his religious merit.

M. N. Dutt: With his children, counsellors wives, descendants, relatives, king Marutta, in the days of his youth, ruled his dominions for a thousand years.

M. N. Dutt: When even such a monarch, O Srinjaya, superior to you in respect of the four cardinal virtues and who, superior to you, was much more superior to your son, had to suffer death, do not lament for your son, saying Shvaitya,' who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial presents.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said O Srinjaya, we heard also of the death of king Suhotra, who was the foremost of all heroes, invincible and interviewed by the gods themselves.

M. N. Dutt: Having obtained his kingdom by virtue, he used to question his Ritvigas, family priests and Brahmanas about its welfare and then used to live up to their instructions.

M. N. Dutt: Knowing virtue to be identified with the protection of his subjects, acts of charity and performance of sacrifices and the subjugation of foes, Suhotra desired the increase of his wealth,

M. N. Dutt: He worshipped the gods according to the ordinances of the holy texts and conquered his foes by means of his arrows. He pleased all creatures with his own excellent acquirements.

M. N. Dutt: During his time of rule, the earth was freed from the depredation of Mlecchas and the forest-thieves and the Parjanya showered gold throughout the whole year.

M. N. Dutt: In those days of his the rivers ran liquid gold and were open to the use of everybody. Parjanya then poured on his kingdom large numbers of golden alligators, crabs and fishes of various classes and many other objects of desire; the artificial lakes of his dominions were full two miles long.

M. N. Dutt: Then king Suhotra beholding thousands of dwarfs hunch-backs, alligators and sharks and tortoises, all made of gold, was greatly amazed.

M. N. Dutt: That royal sage, having performed a sacrifice in Kurujangala, gave away that unlimited quantity of gold to the Brahmanas, even before the accomplishment of that sacrifice.

M. N. Dutt: Having celebrated thousand horsesacrifices, a hundred Rajasuya sacrifices and, numerous other Kshatriya sacrifices, in all of a which he gave away vast wealth as sacrificial presents.

M. N. Dutt: And also having accomplished numerous daily rites from specific wishes, that king ultimately attained to a very desirable end. O Srinjaya, when even such a king suffered death, who was superior to you in all the four virtues.

M. N. Dutt: And so was superior to your son, you should not lament for your son saying 'O Shvaitya' who performed no sacrifice and gave away no sacrificial presents.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said O Srinjaya, we also heard of the death of the heroic king Paurava, who gave away a thousand times thousand horses that were all white in colour.

M. N. Dutt: At the celebration of the horse-sacrifice by him, the number of Brahmanas learned in the Shiksha and Aksharas that then presented themselves from different countries, indeed countless.

M. N. Dutt: These Brahmanas, purified by the Vedas, by learning, by the observance of vows, all of benevolent dispositions and of amiable features, received from the monarch gifts of such things as garments, horses, precious beeds, carpets and conveyances.

M. N. Dutt: They were always entertained by actors, dancers, ministrels perfectly accomplished and well-acquainted with their respective arts and engaged in sports and always striving for pleasing the former.

M. N. Dutt: Al cach of his sacrifices, in due time, he used to give away as Dakshina, ten thousand elephants of golden cffulgence, with their lemporal juice trickling down.

M. N. Dutt: And also golden chariots decked with standards and flags, He also used to give away as Dakshina a thousand times thousand damsels, all adorned with golden ornaments.

M. N. Dutt: And chariots, elephants and horses for mounting and mansions and fields and luundreds of cows and thousands of high-souled cattle-tenders all decked with chains of gold.

M. N. Dutt: That in that sacrifice king Paurava gave away as gifts kine with calves, having horns of gold, hoofs of silver and udders of brass, as ! also numerous male and female slaves, asses, camels and sheep.

M. N. Dutt: He also gave away as presents, diverse kinds of gems and numerous piles of food and cdibles, even before the accomplishment of his sacrifices.

M. N. Dutt: People conversant with the history of the past ages sing this songs.

M. N. Dutt: That monarch of the Angas, ever devoted to the performance of sacrifice, celebrated many auspicious sacrifices suited to his order, one after another, according to their respective efficacy; and these sacrifices yielded all his objects of desire.

M. N. Dutt: O Srinjaya, when even such a king suffered destruction, who was superior to you in all his four cardinal virtues and so who was far superior to your son, you should not lament for your son saying, Oh Shvaitya and should not grieve for his having performed no sacrifices and made no sacrificial presents.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said We heard, O Srinjaya, that even Sini, the son of Ushinara, had to sutfer death, who had put, as it were, a leathern band round the entire earth.

M. N. Dutt: He made the earth with her mountain and the islands and seas and forests resound with the clatter of his car-whecls. That subduer of foes, viz., Sini himself, every day used to slay the foremost of his opponents.

M. N. Dutt: He celebrated various sacrifices attended with profuse sacrificial presents; that highly puissant and intelligent monarch acquired enormous quality of wealth.

M. N. Dutt: In battle he came to be recognised as the head of all the Kshatriya. Having brought the entire earth under his control, he performed many Horse-sacrifices.

M. N. Dutt: Productive of great merit without any the least obstruction, giving away as sacrificial presents thousands and millions of golden nikshas, numerous elephants, steeds and other kinds of animals, large quantities of grain and countless deer, cows and sheep.

M. N. Dutt: And Sini also offered as a gift to the Brahmanas this earth consisting of various different kinds of soil. Indeed Ushinara's son Sini gave away as presents as many kine as is the number of rain drops showered on the earth or the number of stars in the firmament or the number of sand grains on the bed of the river Ganga, or the number of stones that compose the mount Meru or the number of gems or aquatic animals in the ocean. The Lord of creation has not come across or will not come across, in the past, the present or the future, another king competent to bear the burden that king Sini bore on his shoulders. The sacrifices celebrated by king Sini were numerous and attended with all sorts of rites.

M. N. Dutt: In his sacrifices, the stakes, the carpets, the horses, the walls and the arches were all made of gold. Edibles and drink suited to the taste and perfectly pure, were used to be supplied in abundance; and the Brahmanas that came there were countless.

M. N. Dutt: Viands and edibles of every description were used to be distributed with agreeable words, (such as 'take, accept' etc.). There milk and curds used to be collected in lakes of large dimensions. In his sacrificial compound, flowed rivers of drink and stood hills of white edibles.

M. N. Dutt: "Drink" "bathe" 'eat' and 'do as like,' these were the words that used to be heard there. Pleased with his deeds of piety, Rudra

M. N. Dutt: “As you give away numerous presents, let your wealth, your devotion, your renown, your meritorious deeds, the love that people cherish for you and the paradise that you shall attain to, let all these of yours, be inexhaustible.”

M. N. Dutt: Having obtained even such a desirable boon, in due time, Sini had to go to heaven. O Srinjaya, even when such a king had to suffer death who was superior to you in respect of the four virtues.

M. N. Dutt: And consequently who was far more superior to your son, you should not lament for your son saying-O Shvaitya-who performed no sacrifice and made no gifts. your son saying-O Shvaitya-who performed no sacrifice and made no gifts.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said O Srinjaya, we heard that even Rama that son of Dasaratha, had to suffer death. His subjects were as much delighted with him a father is pleased with the sons of his own loins.

M. N. Dutt: In that one endowed with immeasurable energy, innumerable virtues resided. At the command of his father that undeteriorating one, for fourteen long years lived in the woods with his wife and his younger brother Lakshmana.

M. N. Dutt: While in the forest of Janasthana, that foremost of men slew Rakshasas, fourteen thousand in number, for the protection of the ascetics.

M. N. Dutt: When he was living there, the Rakshasa, by name Ravana stole away his wife, the princess of Videha, having deceived both himself and his follower Lakshmana.

M. N. Dutt: That son of Paulastya invincible by his enemies who had injured him, Rama slew in battle, being excited with rage, like the threeeyed Mahadeva slaying the demon Andhaka.

M. N. Dutt: That one (Ravana) incapable of being slain by the celestials and the Asuras, that thorn in the sides of the Gods and Brahmanas, namely that descendant of Paulastya, the mighty-armed Rama slew in battle, with all his followers.

M. N. Dutt: In consequence of his showing mercy towards his subjects he used to be honoured by the celestials themselves.

M. N. Dutt: That one (Rama), served even by the Gods and the sages, filled the earth with his fame. Having acquired immeasurable kingdom, he used to treat his subjects with kindness.

M. N. Dutt: Cherishing his subjects virtuously, that lord without any hindrance, accomplished one hundred of that mighty sacrifice Ashvamedha together with the sacrifice called Jaruthya.

M. N. Dutt: He created great joy in Indra by pouring libations of clarified butter on the fire. And, O king, he celebrated many other kinds of sacrifice, all productive of great religious merit.

M. N. Dutt: Rama conquered hunger and thirst and he was beyond the influence of maladies that trouble the corporeal creation. He was always attended with all kinds of virtues and burnt in his own energy.

M. N. Dutt: Indeed Rama, the of Dasaratha surpassed in beauty all other created beings. The Rishis, the celestials and the mortals all together. son

M. N. Dutt: Lived on the face of the earth, when Rama ruled over the kingdom. Then the lives of animate beings never terminated untimely.

M. N. Dutt: When Rama ruled his dominions, the vital breaths known as Prana and Apana and Samana and others, all duly performed their functions. All splendour appeared to increase and evil portents were never seen.

M. N. Dutt: All his subjects then enjoyed length of days, men then were not taken away in the prime of their life. The denizens of heaven, highly satisfied, used to obtain, according to the (ordinances of the) four Vedas.

M. N. Dutt: Libations of clarified butter and other offerings of edibles presented by men. His dominions were not infested with gnats and flies and they were free from snakes and other reptiles.

M. N. Dutt: Living creatures died not being drowned and prematurely; fire did not consume anything then. Then there were none, of vicious propensities and covetous and ignorant.

M. N. Dutt: His subjects, belonging to all the four castes, were engaged in the performance of righteous and desirable deeds. The Rakshasas then, used to hinder the adoration of the Pitris in Janasthana.

M. N. Dutt: The Lord Rama slaying them, caused the offerings and the adoration to be one more made to the ancestral manes and the gods. Men then became fathers of thousand sons and their duration of life covered a thousand years.

M. N. Dutt: Then seniors in age had never the misfortunes of performing the obsequies of their juniors. Youthful, of a dark blue complexion, of red eyes, possessing the tread of an infuriate elephant.

M. N. Dutt: Having arms hanging down to the knees and of well-shape, of shoulders resembling those of the lion and of great might, that delighter of the hearts of beings, namely Rama, ruled his kingdom for eleven thousand years. His subjects were then always occupied in talking about him.

M. N. Dutt: While Rama ruled his kingdom, the world became most charming and captivating. At last taking his subjects belonging to all the four orders with him, Rama ascended to heaven.

M. N. Dutt: Having perpetuated his own, line in eight separate dynasties of kings, When, O Srinjaya, even such a king died who was superior to you in respect of the four cardinal virtues.

M. N. Dutt: Consequently, who was far more superior to your son, you should not lament for your son saying “O Shvaitya" who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial presents.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said () Srinjaya, we also heard that king Bhagiratha, fell a prey to death, Bhagiratha who caused the banks of Ganga-called Bhagirathi after him-to be covered with flights of golden steps.

M. N. Dutt: He gave away to Brahmanas, kings and princes, a thousand times thousand damsels, all adorned with ornaments of gold.

M. N. Dutt: All those damsels were mounted on chariots; and to all the chariots were harnessed four steeds; and again every chariot was attended with a hundred elephants all decked with chains of gold.

M. N. Dutt: A thousand horses followed each king and after each horse, came a hundred cows and after the cows came sheep and deer, countless in number.

M. N. Dutt: Bhagiratha gave away enormous gifts at his sacrifices in consequence of which, large used to be the concourse of people at them. Afflicted with the heavy burden of men, Ganga saying 'protect me', sat down upon his lap.

M. N. Dutt: And because in the days of yore Ganga sat on his lap, she, like Urvashi, came to be regarded as his daughter and was named after him. Then having become the kings daughter, she became his son (i.e. she procured, like a son, the salvation of his ancestors).

M. N. Dutt: Gandharvas of melodious voice and solar effulgence, greatly pleased, sang this song in the hearing of the anscertral manes, the celestials and the human beings.

M. N. Dutt: Thus, O Srinjaya, that Goddess namely the ocean-going Ganga, chose the Lord Bhagiratha that descendant of Ikshvaku, that performer of sacrifices with profuse gifts, to be her father.

M. N. Dutt: His sacrifices were always honoured by the presence of the celestials with Indra at their head. Removing all obstructions, the Gods used to appropriate their respective shares and to facilitate those sacrifices in every way.

M. N. Dutt: That self-controlled king Bhagiratha highly pleased used to give to the Brahmanas all their objects of desire and all things that any one of the Brahmanas used to set his hcart upon.

M. N. Dutt: He had nothing that he would have hesitated to give to the Brahmanas. Every one obtained from him everything he wanted; that king also, through the grace of the Brahmanas, ascended to regions of Brahma.

M. N. Dutt: For the self-same object for which the sages living on the rays of the sun, used to dance attendance upon the Sun, for that very object they used to wait upon the Lord Bhagiratha, that ornament of the three worlds.

M. N. Dutt: When, O Srinjaya, even such a king had to suffer death, who was superior to you in respect of the four cardinal virtues and consequently far superior to your son you should not lament for your son saying, 'Oh Shvaitya’-who did not perform any sacrifice or make any sacrificial gift.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said We also heard, O Srinjaya, that Dilipa the son of Ilavala had to suffer death. In the celebration of his hundred sacrifices were present countless number of the twice-born ones acquainted with the knowledge of the reality about things, devoted to the performance of sacrifices and blessed with sons and grandsons.

M. N. Dutt: That king of the earth, celebrating various sacrifices, offered this earth replete with treasures, to the Brahmanas as a gift.

M. N. Dutt: At all the sacrifices of king Dilipa, the roads used to be constructed of gold. Regarding him equal to Dharma himself, the very Gods and Indra at their head, used to come to him.

M. N. Dutt: were here wandering many great clephants like a various hills. The upper and lower rings in his sacrificial stakes were made of gold.

M. N. Dutt: Canals of essence used to flow there and piles of cereal (food-grains) was so collected as that of mountains. Oking! One thousand pandalas (pavilions) made of gold extended each to a vyama were erected with grandeur in the offerings (yajna) arranged by them.

M. N. Dutt: Partaking of his Raga-khandavas, many people at his sacrifices used to lie down on the high-ways. He following thing seemed exceedingly wonderful and never occurred to any other king, viz., that when Dilipa fought on waters, his car-wheels never sank below the surface.

M. N. Dutt: Those who saw king Dilipa, that steady bowmen, always truthful and giving away profuse gifts at his sacrifices, succeeded in attaining paradise.

M. N. Dutt: In the mansion of Dilipa otherwise called Khattvanga, the following five sorts of sounds were always to be heard, namely, the sound of the recital of the Vedas, the twang of the bow and the sound produced by utterance of the words, 'Drink, Enjoy and Eat.'

M. N. Dutt: When even such a king, O Srinjaya, died, who was superior to you in respect of the four cardinal virtues and consequently far superior to your son, you should not lament for your son saying-'O Shvaitya’, who did perform no sacrifice and make no sacrificial presents.

M. N. Dutt: When even such a king, O Srinjaya, died, who was superior to you in respect of the four cardinal virtues and consequently far superior to your son, you should not lament for your son saying-'O Shvaitya’, who did perform no sacrifice and make no sacrificial presents.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said O Srinjaya, we also heard that Yuvanasva's son, king Mandhata, who vanquished the celestials, the Asuras and the gods and the worlds, had to undergo death.

M. N. Dutt: The twin Asvinas, (the celestial physicians) drew him out of his fathers womb. Once on a time when out hunting, king Yuvanasva became thirsty and his steed became exhausted.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing at a distance, a curl of smoke, the monarch (guided by it) reached a sacrificial compound and he drank the sacrificial butter that lay scattered there. (Thereupon the monarch conceived). Then seeing the king quick with child.

M. N. Dutt: The two foremost of celestials physicians, the twin Asvins drew out the child from the kings womb. Then beholding the new-born babe of divine radiance lie on the lap of his father. one

M. N. Dutt: The gods spoke to another saying-'Whom shall this child suck.' Then Vasava said-"Let this child suck, my finger first.'

M. N. Dutt: Thereupon from the fingers of Indra nectareous milk flowed out. Because Indra had, out of compassion for the child, said “Let him suck me.'

M. N. Dutt: Therefore the celestials designated him as Mandhatri. Then streams of milk and clarified butter flowed into the mouth of Yuvanasva's son from the finger of the high-souled Indra. He then drank the nectar flowing from Indra's hand and thus went on growing.

M. N. Dutt: In twelve days he became twelve cubits in stature and was also endued with great prowess. And he conquered this extensive earth in the course of a single day.

M. N. Dutt: Of righteous soul, endued with great intelligence and heroic and devoted to truth and of controlled passions, Mandhatri conquered, through the force of his bow, Janarmejaya, Sudhanva, Gaya, Puru, Brihadratha, Asita and king Nriga.

M. N. Dutt: The hill where the sun rises and the hill where it sets, all the land lying between these two hills, is called the dominion of the king Mandhatri, the son of Yuvanasva.

M. N. Dutt: Having accomplished a hundred horsesacrifices and a hundred Rajasuya sacrifices also. He gave away to the Brahmanas, O ruler of men, some Rohita fish made of gold that were ten yojanas in length and one yojana in breadth.

M. N. Dutt: Piles of delicate and tasteful foods and edibles, after the Brahmanas had been entertained, were partaken of by other people and greatly enhanced their joy.

M. N. Dutt: Enormous quantities of food, viands edibles and drinks and potion and piles of cooked rice were there and shone beautiful. Many rivers, having lakes of clarified butter, with various kinds of soup for their mud, curds for their forth and honey for their water, looking charming and flowing in currents of milk and honey, wended round the mountains of solid edibles.

M. N. Dutt: Gods, Asuras, men, Jakshas, Gandharvas, snakes, birds and many Vipras, learned in the Vedas and their auxiliaries, came at this sacrifices. Among the Brahmanas and the sages who came there, there was none who was not learned.

M. N. Dutt: King Mandhatri having given away as gift the earth bounded by the ocean and replete with all sorts of wealth, to the Brahmanas, at last set like the sun itself.

M. N. Dutt: Then having filled the quarters with his fame, he repaired to the regions of righteous. Even when such a king, O Srinjaya, died, who was superior to you in all the four cardinal qualities and consequently much more superior to your son-you should not lament for your son saying-'Oh Shvaitya'-who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial gifts.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said O Srinjaya, we heard also that Yayati, the son of Nahusa, was carried away by Death. Having celebrated a hundred Rajasuya sacrifices, a hundred Horse-sacrifices, thousand Pundarikas, a hundred Vajapeya sacrifices, a thousand Atiratra sacrifices, numerous Chaturmasya sacrifices. Many Agnistomas and diverse other kind of sacrifices, all attended with the giving away of profuse Dakshinas.

M. N. Dutt: He gave unto the Brahmanas all the wealth on the face of Earth, belonging to the nonBrahmana sect, having at first taken an account of them all.

M. N. Dutt: The holiest river Sarasvati, oceans, mountains and rivulets offered ghee and milk for offering arranged by the religious soul, king Yayati.

M. N. Dutt: He assisted the celestials when they and the Asuras stood ready for fight arraying themselves in battle order. He divided the earth in four parts and gave her away to four persons. Having celebrated diverse sacrifices and virtuously begotten excellent progeny on his wives, viz., Devayani, the daughter of Ushanas and Sharmistha, thai god-like Yayati roamed in the woods of the celestials, at his own unrestrained pleasure, like a second Vasava (or Indra).

M. N. Dutt: Versed in all the Vedas, when he found that he was not satiated with the indulgence of his desires, he repaired to the forest with his wives, having uttered this saying-

M. N. Dutt: "Whatever of paddy, wheat, gold, animals and women there are on the face of the earth, are not sufficient for even one single man. Knowing such to be the fact, one should betake to contentment."

M. N. Dutt: Thus having renounced all his desires and cultivating contentment, the Lord Yayati retired into the woods, having installed his son Puru on the throne.

M. N. Dutt: O Srinjaya, when even such a king had to suffer death, who was superior to you in respect of the four cardinal virtues and was consequently much more superior to your son, you should not lament for your son-crying-'O Shvaitya'-who did not perform any sacrifice or offer any sacrificial presents.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said O Srinjaya, we heard that Nabhaga's son Ambarisha, who, single-handed, fought a thousand times against thousand kings, was also carried away by Death.

M. N. Dutt: He simultaneously attacked his enemies who desired to obtain victory over him, who were accomplished in fighting with weapons and who had assaulted him with fierce yells.

M. N. Dutt: Subduing them with his prowess and by the strength of his weapons, he cut-off their umbrellas, weapons, standards and chariots and deprived them of their lives. Thus he relieved himself of all his anxieties.

M. N. Dutt: Then desirous of saving their lives, those defeated king, putting off their coats of mail implored the mercy of that compassionate monarch and sought his protection saying, “We surrender ourselves."

M. N. Dutt: Thus having brought them under his control and having conquered this world, he celebrated a hundred desirable sacrifices, in accordance with the ordinances of the Shastras, O sinless one.

M. N. Dutt: At those sacrifices of his, people partook of edibles possessed of all delicate qualities. Therefore most of the Brahmanas were greatly gratified and were most excellently worshipped.

M. N. Dutt: Sweetmeat, Purikas, Pupas, Saskulis of excellent taste and large size, Karambhas, Prithumridikas and various kinds of wellprepared edibles, various sorts of Supas, Maireyas, Pupas, Ragakhandavas and diverse king of confectionery, well-dressed, delicate and savoury and clarified butter and honey and milk and water and tasteful curds and fruits and esculent roots-these things were there eaten by the regenerate castes.

M. N. Dutt: And men who were addicted to drink wines, drank, in proper time, various kinds of intoxicating drinks, for the sake of the pleasures they produced and then sang and played upon their musical instruments.

M. N. Dutt: Some perfectly toxicated sang songs and were greatly delighted; and some reeled on the ground; some applauded the son of Nabhaga in panegyrics and some danced in thousands.

M. N. Dutt: In those sacrifices, Ambarisha gave as gifts the kingdoms of hundreds and thousands of kings to the ten million priests engaged in his sacrifice.

M. N. Dutt: Having celebrated diverse sacrifices the king gave unto the Brahmanas as sacrificial presents numerous princes and kings whose coronal locks had been purified by the sacred bath, all furnished with golden armours, all having white umbrellas held over their heads, all mounted on golden chariots, vested in superb garments and having large retinues and all bearing their scepters and possessing their treasuries. 'None amongst the men of olden times did, nor those to come will do.'

M. N. Dutt: What king Ambarisha, profuse in his sacrificial present's has done. Even thus did the mighty sages, gratified with him, applauded him.

M. N. Dutt: O Srinjaya, when even such a king who was superior in respect of the four cardinal virtues to you and consequently to your son, had to undergo death, you should not lament for your son who performed no sacrifices and made no sacrificial gifts, saying, 'O Shvaitya.'

M. N. Dutt: Narada said We also heard, O Srinjaya, that king Shashabindu, who was of great personal beauty and of prowess incapable of being repulsed and who performed numerous and diverse sacrifices, had to undergo death.

M. N. Dutt: That one of illustrious soul had a hundred thousand wives, and each of these wives was blessed with a thousand sons.

M. N. Dutt: All those princes were endowed with prowess; all of them performed ten millions of sacrifices each. Learned in the sacred scriptures, those royal heroes accomplished many excellent sacrifices.

M. N. Dutt: All of them, (on occasions of battle) used to don golden coats of mail; and all were excellent bowmen. All those of Shashabindu accomplished the Horse-sacrifice.

M. N. Dutt: That foremost of kings, their father gave them away to the Brahmanas as sacrificial peasants, at his own sacrifice. Each of those princes was followed by hundreds upon hundreds of car-warriors and elephants.

M. N. Dutt: And beautiful dansels adorned with ornaments of gold. With each damsel were a sons hundred elephants and with each elephant a hundred chariots.

M. N. Dutt: With each car were a hundred horses adorned with chains of gold and with each horse a thousand cows. With each cow were fifty goats.

M. N. Dutt: This uncountable wealth was gifted by the prosperous and respected king Sasabindu to Brahmins in the great offering Ashvamedha arranged once by him.

M. N. Dutt: In that great Horse-sacrifice of his, he gave away unlimited wealth and in other sacrifices also he gave away equal amount of gold.

M. N. Dutt: There were piles of edibles, foods and confectionery of the height of two full miles. And when the Horse-sacrifices of the king was over thirteen such piles remained (un-used).

M. N. Dutt: Having ruled for many years over his kingdom, where the people were well-fed, satisfied and free from diseases and where all kinds of evils rooted out, king Shashabindu ascended to heaven.

M. N. Dutt: O Srinjaya, when even such a sovereign, who was superior in respect of the four cardinal virtues to you and consequently to your son, had to suffer death you should not lament of your son who performed no sacrifices and made no sacrificial gifts, saying 'O Shvaitya'. were

M. N. Dutt: Narada said O Srinjaya, we also heard of the death of king Gaya, the son of Amurtarajas, who for hundred years lived only upon remnants of the libations offered on fire.

M. N. Dutt: Thereat Agni offered to bestow boon on him; and thereupon Gaya asked for this boon saying, "I desire to acquaint myself with the contents of the Vedas, through ascetic penances, observance of Brahmacharya rites, vows and rules and also through the grace of my preceptors. I also desire to acquire inexhaustible wealth without transgressing the duties of the order which I belong to and without any injury to any one else.

M. N. Dutt: I desire also the boon, that everyday I may give away devoutly my wealth to the Brahmanas. I wish also to beget sons upon females of my own order and not upon others.

M. N. Dutt: Let devotion be the ruling feeling of my heart when I shall give away edibles; let also my mind delight in the fountain of righteousness. Let, O Agni, no difficulty overtake me when I engage myself in the performance of pious deeds."

M. N. Dutt: "It shall be so", saying this, the God of Fire, disappeared even there. Then Gaya realising all those boons sought, began to obtain righteous victories over all his enemies.

M. N. Dutt: Then king Gaya celebrated for a full hundred years, various kinds of sacrifices with profuse Dakshinas, as also many other vows as Chaturmasya.

M. N. Dutt: Every year, in a century, the king gave unto the Brahmanas, with due devotion, hundred thousand kine, ten thousand horses.

M. N. Dutt: And for several successive centuries he gave to the Brahmanas hundred thousand Nishkas and sixty-thousand kine, at the time of his rising.

M. N. Dutt: Under every (auspicious) conjunction of the constellations, he gave away presents specified for those occasions. Verily the monarch performed various sacrifices like another Soma or another Angirasa.

M. N. Dutt: Making the earth covered with gold and with pebbles constituted by gems, he gave her away as a present to the Brahmanas during the celebration of his great Horse-sacrifice.

M. N. Dutt: In the sacrifices of Gaya, the stakes were made of gold; and embossed with jewels and precious, they delighted the hearts of all.

M. N. Dutt: Then Gaya gave to the delighted Brahmanas and other creatures, those stakes and many other precious objects of desire.

M. N. Dutt: The various species of creatures inhabiting the oceans, the islands, the rivers male and female, the woods, forests, towns, kingdoms, the paradise and the sky and diverse other beings were gratified with the wealth and riches distributed at Gaya's sacrifice. They then said, "There was no sacrifice like that celebrated by Gaya."

M. N. Dutt: The sacrificial altar of Gaya was thirty yojanas long, twenty-six yojanas high; and it was covered with gold and strewn over with pearls and gems. He gave away this altar and inany garments and ornaments to the Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: That liberal-handed monarch gave to the Brahmanas other presents specified in the scriptures. When the sacrifice was completed, their remained twenty-five mountains of edibles and foods, (untouched).

M. N. Dutt: And there also remained many lakes of potions and several stream of juicy drinks flowing charmingly and many garments and rnaments, perfumes and many princes (who were intended to be given away as presents).

M. N. Dutt: Through that great sacrifice of his, Gaya became well-known in the three worlds; and the eternal Banian tree and the holy Brahmalake, owe their origin to that sacrifice.

M. N. Dutt: O Srinjaya, when even such a king, who was far superior in respect of the four cardinal virtues to you and consequently to your son, had to undergo death, you should not lament for your son who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial gifts-saying 'O Shvaitya.'

M. N. Dutt: Narada said O Srinjaya, we heard also that Sankriti's son Rantideva, who had two hundred-thousand cooks of high-soul, had to undergo death.

M. N. Dutt: These cooks of his, used to distribute raw and cooked food and vast amount of wealth, day and night, to the Brahmanas that repaired to Ratindeva's mansion as guests.

M. N. Dutt: He gave away unto the Brahmanas his wealth acquired through fair means. Having studied the Vedas he subdued his foes in fair combats.

M. N. Dutt: He always gave away golden Nishkas to the Brahmanas saying. "I give you Nishkas, I give you Nishkas."

M. N. Dutt: "To you, to you,” saying these words he gave thousands of Nishkas away to the Brahmanas. Then again, comforting them, he gave them Nishkas.

M. N. Dutt: Having given away in the course of a single day, a Koti of Nishkas, he used to say, “I have his day given away a very small number of coins", thus thinking, he would again give away Nishkas. What other person can give away such enormous quantity of wealth?

M. N. Dutt: That king used to give away wealth, thinking-"If I do not give wealth into the hands of the Brahmanas, great and everlasting sorrow will surely fall in my share."

M. N. Dutt: For a hundred years, twice a month, he gave away unto thousands of Brahmanas a golden bull each followed by a herd of hundred cows and eight hundred pieces of Nishkas. All the articles necessary for his Agnihotra sacrifice and for his other sacrifices.

M. N. Dutt: He gave away to the sages, including karakas and jars for water and plates and dishes and beds, carpets, conveyances, palaces and dwelling houses. And various sorts of trees and diverse kinds of edibles and viands. All the utensils and articles of the intelligent Ratindeva were made of gold.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing then the super-human prosperity of king Ratindeva, those that were conversant with the history of past ages sang this song.

M. N. Dutt: We have not seen such vast treasures even in the mansion of Kubera (the Plutus of Hindu mythology), what to speak of the treasures of men?

M. N. Dutt: People then wonderingly used to say-"It is evident that the kingdom of Ratindeva, the son of Sankrita, is made of gold.

M. N. Dutt: On such nights when guests used to assemble in the mansion of Ratindeva, twentyone thousand cows used to be sacrificed (for feeding them).

M. N. Dutt: And the cooks of the king, adorned with jewelled ear-rings used to cry out (to the guests) saying-“Drink as much soup as you can, for there is not so much meat today as there was the other day."

M. N. Dutt: Whatever of gold Ratindeva possessed, then, was given away to the Brahmanas in the course of one of his sacrifices.

M. N. Dutt: The gods in person used to accept the libations of butter poured on the fire for them, And the ancestral manes used similarly to accept food that was offered to them in proper time. The Brahmanas, the best of their sects, used to obtain from him all the objects of their desire.

M. N. Dutt: When, O Srinjaya, even such a king had to undergo Death, who was superior to you in respect of the four cardinal virtues. And consequently was superior to your son, you should not lament for your son who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial gifts, saying-'O Shvaitya'.

M. N. Dutt: When, O Srinjaya, even such a king had to undergo Death, who was superior to you in respect of the four cardinal virtues. And consequently was superior to your son, you should not lament for your son who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial gifts, saying-'O Shvaitya'.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said O Srinjaya, we heard that Dushyanta's son Bharata, who, when a child, performed in the woods many feats difficult of being performed by others, had also to suffer death.

M. N. Dutt: Possessed of great prowess, he used quickly to deprive the very lions armed with teeth and claws, of all their ferocity and dragged them and bound them at his own pleasure.

M. N. Dutt: He used to tame down the very tigers, more ferocious and more ruthless than the lions. Seizing various beasts of prey and even prodigious elephants dyed with red chalksolution and bespattered with other liquid minerals, by their teeth and tusks, that highly powerful one used to bring them to his subjection causing their throats to become parched up and compelling them to fly away.

M. N. Dutt: Endued with great strength he used to drag down the mightiest of buffaloes. Through his prowess, he tamed hundreds of ferocious lions.

M. N. Dutt: And powerful tigers and horned rhinoceroses and other animals. Binding them by their necks and twisting the ropes (around their necks) to an inch of their lives, he used to release them.

M. N. Dutt: For those feats of his, the regenerate sages residing there used to call him Sarvadamana (or the subduer of all). But at last his mother forbade him do so, saying-'Do not torture animals thus.'

M. N. Dutt: Possessed of great energy, he celebrated a hundred Horse-sacrifices on the banks of the river Yamuna, three hundred such sacrifices on the banks of the Sarasvati and four hundred such on the banks of the Ganges.

M. N. Dutt: Having accomplished all those sacrifices he once more performed a thousand great Horsesacrifices and a hundred such Rajasuya, in which he made profuse gifts to the Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: He performed also such other sacrifices, as the Agnisthoma, the Atiratra, the Vektha, the Visvajit and thousands of Vajapeyas.

M. N. Dutt: Then the royal son of Sakuntala gratified the Brahmanas with the present of riches; then Bharata of illustrious fame gave ten thousand billions of coins made of the purest gold to Kanwa (who had reared his mother). The gods with Indra at their head, accompanied by the twice-born ones, coming to this sacrifices, set up his sacrificial stake made wholly of gold and measuring hundred vyamas in width. The royal Bharata of magnanimous soul, that conqueror of his foes, that sovereign ever unsubdued by his enemies gave away unto the Brahimanas, charming steeds, elephants and chariots, adorned with gold and embossed with gems of the first water of all sorts and camels and goats and sheep and male and female servants, wealth, grain, milch-cows with calves and villages, houses and fields and garments of various kinds, countless in number. When, O Srinjaya, even such a king had to suffer death who was superior to you in respect to the four cardinal virtues.

M. N. Dutt: And consequently to your son, you should not lament for your son who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial gifts saying, 'O Shvaitya.'

M. N. Dutt: Narada said We heard also, O Srinjaya, that Vena's son Prithu, who was installed as the emperor of the world by the mighty sages on the celebration of his Rajasuya-sacrifice, had also to suffer death.

M. N. Dutt: Having vanquished all his foes with great efforts, he consolidated his empire, for which he came to be called Prithu (or the celebrated). He became a true Kshatriya, owing to his protecting his subjects from wounds and injuries.

M. N. Dutt: Beholding Vena's son Prithu, his subjects said, “We are delighted and in consequence of the affection of his subjects which he enjoyed, he came to be called Raja.

M. N. Dutt: The Earth yielded corn without being cultivated and for Vena's son Prithu she fulfilled all his desires. The cows also yielded milk whenever desired and every lotus-bud was filled with honey.

M. N. Dutt: The sacred Kusha grass were all made of gold and were delicate to the touch and otherwise delightful. The people used to wear cloths made of this grass and they used to lie down on beds composed of them.

M. N. Dutt: Fruits, nectareous, tasteful and delicate, then became their chief edible; and none went without food.

M. N. Dutt: In his kingdom men lived free from all diseases, their desires were all crowned with fruition, they entertained no fear. They lived on trees and in caves, as it pleased them.

M. N. Dutt: His dominions and his cities were not divided into smaller sections and countries. There his subjects lived delightedly, as it suited their desire or convenience.

M. N. Dutt: When king Prithu repaired to the sea, its waves become solidified. The very mountains opened a way for him and his standard never broke (being obstructed by any thing).

M. N. Dutt: Him seated at his ease, the mighty trees of the forest, the gods of the mountains, the celestials, the Asuras, the men and the replies the seven sages, sages, the holy ascetics, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras and the ancestral manes, approaching said these words-"You are our Emperor, you protect us from injuries, you are ever our delighter, saviour and father. Give us, O mighty monarch, O Master, the boons we desire to have-boons through whose virtue we may live in happiness and plenty, for eternal years.

M. N. Dutt: Then saying yea' to all their prayers, Vena's son Prithu took up his Ajagava bow and several dreadful arrows, whose equals existed not; then thinking for a while, he

M. N. Dutt: "Come, come, O Earth, quickly give these my subjects the milk they desire. Good betide you; from the milk you shall shed, I desire to give my subjects the edibles they wish to have.

M. N. Dutt: The Earth said "O Hero, it behoves you to look upon me as your own daughter." Saying, “So be it” the self-controlled Prithu, then arranged for (milking the Earth).

M. N. Dutt: Then the whole assemblage of creatures begin to milk the Earth (successively). The mighty trees of the forest then first approached her, desirous of milking her.

M. N. Dutt: There then stood the highly affectionate Earth (as a cow), looking for a calf, a milker and a pot wherein to keep the milk. Then the flowering Shala tree became the calf and the Plaksha became the milker.

M. N. Dutt: Torn buds become the milk and the auspicious fig tree became the milk-pot. (Next the mountains appeared to milk her) The Eastern hill then became the calf and the mighty Meru-mountain became the milkman.

M. N. Dutt: Jewels and precious stones and the Osadhis became the milk and the stones became the milk-jar. Next the celestials became the milkers and everything capable of imparting energy became the milk.

M. N. Dutt: Next the Asuras milked urine from the Earth, in unbaked earthen jars. Dvimurdha (the two-headed) then became the milker and Virochana became the calf.

M. N. Dutt: Next the men milked her when products of cultivation and crops became the milk; the selfcreate Manu became the calf and Prithu the milker, on this occasion.

M. N. Dutt: Next the snakes milked her and they received poison for milk in in gourds. Dhritarashtra became the milker and Takshaka became the calf.

M. N. Dutt: The seven sages untiring in work, next milked her and obtained the knowledge of the Supreme Brahma for the milk. Then Brihaspati became the milker the Vedas became the milkpot and the Somarat became the calf,

M. N. Dutt: The Rakshasas milking her, in a jar of unbaked Earth, obtained the power of disappearing at will. Their milker Vaishravana and Vrishadhvaja was their calf.

M. N. Dutt: The Apsaras and the Gandharvas milked her of holy fragrance and received it in lotuspetals. Chitraratha became their calf and the lord Visvaruchi became their milker.

M. N. Dutt: The ancestral manes milked her of Svadhas in pots of silver. Vaivasvata became their calf and the Destroyer (Yama) himself became their milker.

M. N. Dutt: Thus was the Earth milked by that entire host of creatures, who obtained for milk all objects of their respective desire. The very was calves and the pots, with whose help they milked could be seen even today.

M. N. Dutt: Then Vena's son Prithu, possessed of prowess, celebrated various sacrifices and he gratified the hearts of creature with objects desired by them.

M. N. Dutt: The king caused all objects obtaining of the face of the Earth to be made of gold and on the occasion of his great Horse-sacrifice, he gave them away to the Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: The king caused sixty-six thousands images of elephants to be made of gold and he gave them away to the Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: The entire Earth adorned with jewels and gems, the king caused to be covered over with gold and he then gave her away to the Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: When, O Srinjaya, even such a king, who was superior to you in respect of the four virtues and consequently much more superior to your son, you should not lament for your son who performed no sacrifices and made no sacrificial gifts-saying, 'O Shvaitya'.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said Even the heroic Rama that illustrious ascetic adored by the heroes of the world, that son of Jamadagni, of great renown, died with his desires unsatiated.

M. N. Dutt: Making this Earth abound in all kinds of happiness, he caused the primeval Yuga to set in. He was not perverted, having obtained cxcellent affluence.

M. N. Dutt: When a calf belonging to him when stolen and when his father was slain by the Kshatriyas, he took a vow saying that he would relieve the Earth of her burden of Kshatriyas. Thereafter he slew Kartavirya who was never before defeated in battle by his foes.

M. N. Dutt: Single-handed and with a single bow, he vanquished and dispatched to the abode of Death, four and sixty times ten thousand Kshatriyas.

M. N. Dutt: In that slaughter were included fourteen thousand Kshatriyas all contemners of the Brahmanas. Then again he slew slew many Kshatriyas of the Dantakrura country.

M. N. Dutt: He slew a thousand Kshatriyas with his bludgeon, a thousand with his sword and a thousand of the Kshatriyas also by hanging them.

M. N. Dutt: He splitted the teeth and cu-off nose and ears of one thousand Kshatriyas and forcibly made seven thousand kings to sip the bitter Dhupa (herb).

M. N. Dutt: Remaining of them were tied and slain by clashing their heads. At north from Gunavati and at south from Khandava forest, hundreds and thousands of Haihaya kings were slain in the battle field.

M. N. Dutt: Heroes with their chariots, steeds and elephants, lay slain on the field of battle, by the intelligent son of Jamadagni, who had been exasperated by the death of his father.

M. N. Dutt: Then Rama slew with his axe ten thousand Kshatriyas. He then could not bear the hot words uttered by his enraged adversaries. When the twice-born sects exclaimed saying, 'O Rama, descendant of Bhrigu's race.

M. N. Dutt: Then the puissant son of Jamadgni proceeding against the Kashmiras, the Daradas, the Kuntis, the Kshudrakas, the Malavas, the Angas, the Vangas, the Kalingas, the Videhas, the Tamraliptakas, the Rakshavahan, the Vitihotras, the Trigartas, the Martikavatas the Sini and other kingly races, thousands in number, inhabiting various countries, slew them all with his arrows of exceeding sharpness.

M. N. Dutt: Going from country to country, he slew thousands and crores of Kshatriyas creating a deluge of blood and filling many lakes with it, which was as red as Indra Gopakas or the wild fruit known as Bandhu-jiva and also bringing under his sway all the eighteen division of the earth, that descendant of Bhrigu's race. Celebrated a hundred holy sacred sacrifices in which he gave away profuse sacrificial presents.

M. N. Dutt: The sacrificial altar, ful} eighteen Nalas high and made entirely of gold and erected duly. And filled with diverse kinds of gems and jewels and adorned with hundreds of pennons, as also this earth abounding in domestic and wild animals were accepted by Kasyapa as sacrificial presents offered to him by Rama.

M. N. Dutt: The son of Jamadagni, Rama also gave him many thousands of huge elephants adorned with golden ornaments. Freeing the earth from the robbers that infested her and making her full of innocent and amiable people, Rama gave her away to Kasyapa at his great Horsesacrifice.

M. N. Dutt: That lord, that hero having relieved the earth, for twenty-one times, of her burdens of the Kshatriya population and having celebrated a hundred sacrifices, gave her away to the Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: The earth with her seven grand divisions were bestowed by him upon the twice-born son of Maricha (Kasyapa). Then the the latter addressed Rama saying-"Go you out of this Earth, at my command".

M. N. Dutt: At the words of Kasyapa, that best of warriors obedient to the Brahmanas' command, caused, by the fall of his arrows, the very occan to roll back; then going to the foremost of mountains, namely, the Mahendra mountain, he continued to live there.

M. N. Dutt: Even that enhancer of the glory of the Bhrigu race that one endowed with desirable qualities that son of Jamadagni, of illustrious renown and great effulgence, had to die.

M. N. Dutt: O Srinjaya, Superior to you in respect to the four virtues and also to your son, even that one did die. Therefore you should not weep for your son, who perforined no sacrifice and made no sacrificial gifts.

M. N. Dutt: These foremost and best of men, all superior to you in respect of the four virtues and in respect of many other meritorious qualities, had to suffer death, O Srinjaya.

M. N. Dutt: Vyasa said Having heard these holy stories of the sixteen kings, capable of enhancing the duration of the listener's life, king Srinjayas said nothing and remained silent for a while.

M. N. Dutt: Then to him thus sitting silent, the almighty sage Narada said-"O you of great effulgence, you have heard the stories just now related by me and have comprehended their signification.

M. N. Dutt: Or are all these lost on you, like a sraddha performed by a twice-born one having a female of the Sudra caste for his wife.” Thus spoken to, Srinjaya replied to him with folded palms, sayingएतच्छ्रुत्वा महाबाहो धन्यमाख्यानमुत्तमम्।

M. N. Dutt: "O you rich in the wealth of asceticism, having heard these best and laudable stories of ancient royal sages, all of whom celebrated great sacrifices with profuse presents unto the Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: All my sorrow have been driven away by wonder, like darkness being dispelled by the radiance of the sun. I have now been purged of all my sins; and I do not feel any pain now. Tell me what shall I do.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said It is through good luck that your sorrow has been dispelled. Ask you the boon that your heart craves for; you will get whatever you may seek to have. We never speak falsehood.

M. N. Dutt: Srinjaya said I am contented even with this, viz., that you, O holy sage, are pleased with me. That person with whom you are pleased, you holy one, has nothing inaccessible to him.

M. N. Dutt: Narada said I will once again give you back your son, who was to no purpose slain by the robbers, like an animal immolated in a sacrifice. I shall take him out of the terrible hell.

M. N. Dutt: Vyasa said Then the son of Srinjaya of wonderful splendour, resembling the son of Kubera, appeared there, bestowed on his bereaved father, by the qualified sage.

M. N. Dutt: Then king Srinjaya once more obtaining the sight of his son became highly delighted. He then gave away numerous merit-giving sacrificial gifts upon their accomplishment of the yajnas.

M. N. Dutt: The life-mission of Srinjaya's son was not fulfilled. He had performed no sacrifices and had begotten no progeny. Destitute of bravery, he perished miserable and not in battle. For this reason he could be brought back into life.

M. N. Dutt: As regards Abhimanyu, he was courageous and brave. He has fulfilled the mission of his life; for, the brave son of Subhadra having scorched his enemies by thousands, had passed away, falling on the field of battle.

M. N. Dutt: Those eternal regions that are attained through the performance of Brahmacharya vows, through knowledge and acquaintance with the scriptures, through foremost of sacrifices, even those regions have been obtained by your son.

M. N. Dutt: Men possessed of knowledge always desire to attain to heaven by their performance of deeds of piety. They who live in heaven do not like this world.

M. N. Dutt: Therefore it is not easy to find out any desirable thing that might have been unattained by him, that might bring back into this world Arjuna's son slain in battle and now dwelling in heaven.

M. N. Dutt: Your son has ascended to those regions, the eternal goal of Yogins who contemplate with their eyes shut or by performers of illustrious sacrifices or by people possessed of great ascetic merit.

M. N. Dutt: Having attained a new figure after death, that hero is shining like a monarch in his own immortal radiance. Verily Abhimanyu has once more assumed his own body composed of the essence of the moon that is desired by all twice-born ones. Therefore you should not weep for him.

M. N. Dutt: Acquainted with these facts, compose yourself and slay your enemies. Muster courage, O you sinless one, it is the living beings who want us to grieve for them and not they who have ascended to heaven.

M. N. Dutt: O king, his sins go on increasing, for whom the living mourn. Fro this reason, the wise, renouncing grief. exert themselves for the benefit of the dead (i.e., their souls).

M. N. Dutt: The living man should think of the joy, the glory and the happiness of the dead. Acquainted with truth, the wise never harbour grief, for grief is nothing more or less than grief.

M. N. Dutt: Know this as truth; rise up, grid up your loins; do not lament, you have heard of the origin of the Death and of her unequaled penances.

M. N. Dutt: As also of her equality of conduct towards all creatures. You have heard that prosperity is unsteady; you have also heard as how the dead son of Srinjaya was brought back to life.

M. N. Dutt: O foremost of learned monarchs, do not lament. May you enjoy peace, I depart. Having thus spoken, the sacred Rishi Vyasa disappeared even there.

M. N. Dutt: Upon the disappearance of that eloquent speaker, that foremost of all intelligent beings, viz., the holy Vyasa whose colour was like that of the sky overspread with clouds, Yudhishthira having obtained consolation.

M. N. Dutt: In consequence of what he had heard about the sacrificial merit and prosperity, of those great monarchs of ancient times endued with energy equal to that of the great Indra himself and all of whom had acquired wealth by virtuous means.

M. N. Dutt: Applauded them in his mind and then became relieved of his sorrows. But once more, with a sorrowful heart he asked himself saying-"What shall I say to Dhananjaya?'