The construction and inauguration of Maya Sabha in Indraprastha

 

The construction and inauguration of Maya Sabha in Indraprastha

Krishna asks Maya to build an exquisite assembly hall for the Pandavas

 

Then, in the presence of Vasudeva, Maya Danava, having worshipped Arjuna, repeatedly spoke unto him with joined hands and in amiable words, “O son of Kunti, saved have I been by you from this Krishna in spate and from Pavaka desirous of consuming me. Tell me what I have to do for you.”

 

Arjuna said, “O great Asura, everything has already been done by you. Blessed be you. Go wherever you like. Be kind and well-disposed towards me, as we are even kind to and well-pleased with you!”

 

Maya said, “O bull amongst men, what you have said is worthy of you. But I desire to do something for you cheerfully. I am a great artist, a Viswakarma among the Danavas. Being what I am, I desire to do something for you.”

 

Arjuna said, “O sinless one, you regard yourself as saved from imminent death. Even if it has been so, I cannot make you do anything for me. At the same time, O Danava, I do not wish to frustrate your intentions. Do you something for Krishna. That will be a sufficient requital for my services to you.”

 

Then, urged by Maya, Vasudeva reflected for a moment as to what he should ask Maya to accomplish. Krishna, the Lord of the universe and the Creator of every object, having reflected in his mind, thus commanded Maya, “Let a palatial sabha as you choose, be built, if you, O son of Diti, who are the foremost of all artists, desire to do good to Yudhishthira the just. Indeed, build you such a palace that persons belonging to the world of men may not be able to imitate it even after examining it with care, while seated within. O Maya, build you a mansion in which we may behold a combination of godly, asuric and human designs.”

 

Having heard those words, Maya became exceedingly glad. Then Krishna and Arjuna after having narrated everything unto king Yudhishthira the just, introduced Maya unto him. Yudhishthira received Maya with respect, offering him the honour he deserved. Maya accepted that honour thinking highly of it. That great son of Diti then recited unto the sons of Pandu the history of the Danava Vrishaparva, and that foremost of artists then, having rested awhile, set himself after much thoughtful planning to build a palace for the illustrious sons of Pandu. Agreeably to the wishes of both Krishna and the sons of Pritha, the illustrious Danava of great prowess, having performed on an auspicious day the initial propitiatory rites of foundation and having also gratified thousands of well-versed Brahmanas with sweetened milk and rice and with rich presents of various kinds, measured out a plot of land five thousand cubits square, which was delightful and exceedingly handsome to behold and which was favourable for construction of a building well-suited to the exigencies of every season.

 

Krishna leaves for Dwaraka

Janardana deserving the worship of all, having lived happily at Khandavaprastha for some time, and having been treated all the while with respectful love and affection by the sons of Pritha, became desirous one day of leaving Khandavaprastha to behold his father. That possessor of large eyes, unto whom was due the obeisance of the universe, then saluted both Yudhishthira and Pritha and made obeisance with his head unto the feet of Kunti, his father's sister. Thus revered by Kesava, Pritha smelt his head and embraced him. The illustrious Hrishikesa approached his own sister Subhadra affectionately, with his eyes filled with tears, and spoke unto her words of excellent import and truth, terse proper, unanswerable and fraught with good. The sweet-speeched Subhadra also, saluting him in return and worshipping him repeatedly with bent head, told him all that she wished to be conveyed to her relatives on the paternal side. Bidding her farewell and uttering benedictions on his handsome sister, he of the Vrishni race, next saw Draupadi and Dhaumya. That best of men duly made obeisance unto Dhaumya, and consoling Draupadi obtained leave from her. Then the learned and mighty Krishna, accompanied by Partha, went to his cousins. Surrounded by the five brothers, Krishna shone like Sakra in the midst of the celestials. He whose banner bore the figure of Garuda, desirous of performing the rites preparatory to the commencement of a journey, purified himself by a bath and adorned his person with ornaments. The bull of the Yadu race then worshipped the gods and Brahmanas with floral wreaths, mantras, bows of the head, and excellent perfumes. Having finished all these rites, that foremost of steady and virtuous persons then thought of setting out. The chief of the Yadu race then came out of the inner to the outer apartment, and issuing thence he made unto Brahmanas, deserving of worship, offerings of vessel-full of curd and fruits, and parched-grain and caused them to pronounce benedictions upon him. Making unto them presents also of wealth, he went round them. Then ascending his excellent car of gold endued with great speed and adorned with banner bearing the figure of Garuda and furnished also with mace, discus, sword, his bow Sharnga and other weapons, and yoking thereunto his horses Saibya and Sugriva, he of eyes like lotuses set out at an excellent moment of a lunar day of auspicious stellar conjunction. Yudhishthira, from affection, ascended the chariot after Krishna, and causing that best charioteer Daruka to stand aside, himself took the reins. Arjuna also, of long arms, riding on that car, walked round Krishna and fanned him with a white chamara furnished with a handle of gold. And the mighty Bhimasena accompanied by the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva and the priests and citizens all followed Krishna from behind. Kesava, followed by all the brothers, shone like a preceptor followed by his favourite pupils. Then Govinda spoke unto Arjuna and clasped him firmly, and worshipping Yudhisthira and Bhima, embraced the twins. Embraced in return by the three elder Pandavas, he was reverentially saluted by the twins. After having gone about half a Yojana, Krishna, respectfully addressed Yudhishthira and requested him, to stop following him further. Govinda, conversant with every duty, then reverentially saluted Yudhishthira and took hold of his feet. But Yudhishthira soon raised Kesava and smelt his head. King Yudhishthira the just, the son of Pandu, having raised Krishna endued with eyes like lotus-petals and the foremost of the Yadava race, gave him leave, saying, “Good bye!” Then the slayer of Madhu, making an appointment with them in words that were proper, and preventing with difficulty the Pandavas from following him further on foot, gladly proceeded towards his own city, like Indra going towards Amravati. Out of the love and affection they bore him, the Pandavas gazed on Krishna as long as he was within sight, and their minds also followed him when he got out of sight. Kesava of agreeable person soon disappeared from their sight, unsatiated though their minds were with looking at him. The sons of Pritha, with minds fixed on Govinda, desisted and unwillingly returned to their own city in haste. Krishna in his car soon reached Dwaraka followed by that hero Satyaki. Then Sauri, accompanied by his charioteer Daruka reached Dwaraka with the speed of Garuda.

 

Meanwhile king Yudhishthira, accompanied by his brothers and surrounded by friends, entered his excellent capital. That tiger among men, dismissing all his relatives, brothers, and sons, sought to make himself happy in the company of Draupadi. Kesava also, worshipped by the principal Yadavas including Ugrasena, entered with a happy heart his own excellent city. Worshipping his old father and his illustrious mother, and saluting Baladeva, he of eyes like lotus-petals took his seat. Embracing Pradyumna, Shamba, Nishatha, Charudeshna, Gada, Aniruddha and Bhanu, and obtaining the leave of all the elderly men, Janardana entered the apartments of Rukmini.

 

Maya builds the assembly hall

 

Then Maya Danava addressed Arjuna, that foremost of successful warriors, saying, “I now go with your leave, but shall come back soon. On the north of the Kailasa peak near the mountains of Mainaka, while the Danavas were engaged in a sacrifice on the banks of Bindu lake, I gathered a huge quantity of delightful and variegated rough materials composed of jewels and gems. This was placed in the mansion of Vrishaparva ever devoted to truth. If it be yet existing, I shall come back, with it. I shall then commence the construction of the delightful palace of the Pandavas, which is to be adorned with every kind of gems and celebrated all over the world. There is also, I think, a fierce club placed in the lake Bindu by the King after slaughtering therewith all his foes in battle. Besides being heavy and strong and variegated with golden knobs, it is capable of bearing great weight, and of slaying all foes, and is equal in strength unto an hundred thousand clubs. It is a fit weapon for Bhima, even as the Gandiva is for you. There is also a large conch-shell called Devadatta of loud sound, that came from Varuna. I shall no doubt give all these to you.”

 

Having spoken thus unto Partha, the Asura went away in a north-easterly direction. On the north of Kailasa in the mountains of Mainaka, there is a huge peak of gems and jewels called Hiranya-sringa. Near that peak is a delightful lake of the name of Bindu. There, on its banks, previously dwelt king Bhagiratha for many years, desiring to behold the goddess Ganga, since called Bhagirathee after that king's name. There, on its banks, Indra the illustrious lord of every created thing, performed one hundred great sacrifices. There, for the sake of beauty, though not according to the dictates of the ordinance, were placed sacrificial stakes made of gems and altars of gold. There, after performing those sacrifices, the thousand-eyed lord of Sachi became crowned with success. There the fierce Mahadeva, the eternal lord of every creature, has taken up his abode after having created all the worlds and there he dwells, worshipped with reverence by thousands of spirits. There Nara and Narayana, Brahma and Yama and Sthanu the fifth, perform their sacrifices at the expiration of a thousand yugas. There, for the establishment of virtue and religion, Vasudeva, with pious devotion, performed his sacrifices extending for many, many long years. There were placed by Keshava thousands and tens of thousands of sacrificial stakes adorned with golden garlands and altars of great splendour. Going there, Maya brought back the club and the conch-shell and the various crystalline articles that had belonged to king Vrishaparva. The great Asura, Maya, having gone there, possessed himself of the whole of the great wealth which was guarded by Yakshas and Rakshasas. Bringing them, the Asura constructed therewith a peerless palace, which was of great beauty and of celestial make, composed entirely of gems and precious stones, and celebrated throughout the three worlds. He gave unto Bhimasena that best of clubs, and unto Arjuna the most excellent conch-shell at whose sound all creatures trembled in awe.

 

The palace that Maya built consisted of columns of gold, and occupied, an area of five thousand cubits. The palace, possessing an exceedingly beautiful form, like unto that of Agni or Surya, or Soma, shone in great splendour, and by its brilliance seemed to darken even the bright rays of the sun. With the effulgence it exhibited, which was a mixture of both celestial and terrestrial light, it looked as if it was on fire. Like unto a mass of new clouds conspicuous in the sky, the palace rose up coming into view of all. Indeed, the palace that the dexterous Maya built was so wide, delightful, and refreshing, and composed of such excellent materials, and furnished with such golden walls and archways, and adorned with so many varied pictures, and was withal so rich and well-built, that in beauty it far surpassed Sudharma of the Dasarha race, or the mansion of Brahma himself. Eight thousand Rakshasas called Kinkaras, fierce, huge-bodied and endued with great strength, of red coppery eyes and arrowy ears, well-armed and capable of ranging through the air, used to guard and protect that palace. Within that palace Maya placed a peerless tank, and in that tank were lotuses with leaves of dark-coloured gems and stalks of bright jewels, and other flowers also of golden leaves. Aquatic fowls of various species sported on its bosom. Itself variegated with full-blown lotuses and stocked with fishes and tortoises of golden hue, its bottom was without mud and its water transparent. There was a flight of crystal stairs leading from the banks to the edge of the water. The gentle breezes that swept along its bosom softly shook the flowers that studded it. The banks of that tank were overlaid with slabs of costly marble set with pearls. Beholding that tank thus adorned all around with jewels and precious stones, many kings that came there mistook it for land and fell into it with eyes open. Many tall trees of various kinds were planted all around the palace. Of green foliage and cool shade, and ever blossoming, they were all very charming to behold. Artificial woods were laid around, always emitting a delicious fragrance. There were many tanks also that were adorned with swans and Karandavas and Chakravakas in the grounds lying about the mansion. The breeze bearing the fragrance of lotuses growing in water and ministered unto the pleasure and happiness of the Pandavas. Maya having constructed such a palatial hall within fourteen months, reported its completion unto Yudhishthira.

 

Inauguration of Maya Sabha

Then king Yudhishthira, entered that palatial sabha having first fed ten thousand Brahmanas with preparations of milk and rice mixed with clarified butter and honey with fruits and roots, and with pork and venison. The king gratified those superior Brahmanas, who had come from various countries with food seasoned with sesame and prepared with vegetables called jibanti, with rice mixed with clarified butter, with different preparations of meat--with indeed various kinds of other food, as also numberless viands that are fit to be sucked and innumerable kinds of drinks, with new and unused robes and clothes, and with excellent floral wreaths. The king also gave unto each of those Brahmanas a thousand kine. The voice of the gratified Brahmanas uttering, “What an auspicious day is this! became so loud that it seemed to reach heaven itself.”

 

When the Kuru king entered the palatial sabha having also worshipped the gods with various kinds of music and numerous species of excellent and costly perfumes, the athletes and mimes and prize-fighters and bards and encomiasts began to gratify that illustrious son of Dharma by exhibiting their skill. Thus celebrating his entry into the palace, Yudhishthira with his brothers sported within that palace like Sakra himself in heaven. Upon the seats in that palace sat, along with the Pandavas, Rishis and kings that came from various countries: Asita and Devala, Satya, Sarpamali and Mahasira; Arvavasu, Sumitra, Maitreya, Sunaka and Bali; Baka, Dalbya, Sthulasira, Krishna-Dwaipayana, and Suka, Sumanta, Jaimini, Paila, and the disciples of Vyasa, Vaishampayana, Tittiri, Yajanavalkya, and Lomaharshana with his son; Apsuhomya, Dhaumya, Animandavya; and Kausika; Damoshnisha and Traivali, Parnada, and Varayanuka, Maunjayana, Vayubhaksha, Parasarya, and Sarika; Valivaka, Silivaka, Satyapala, and Krita-srama; Jatukarna, and Sikhavat. Alamba and Parijataka; the exalted Parvata, and the great Muni Markandeya; Pavitrapani, Savarna, Bhaluki, and Galava. Janghabandhu, Raibhya, Kopavega, and Bhrigu: Haribabhru, Kaundinya, Babhrumali, and Sanatana, Kakshivat, and Ashija, Nachiketa, and Aushija, Nachiketa, and Gautama; Painga, Varaha, Sunaka, and Sandilya of great ascetic merit: Kukkura, Venujangha, Kalapa and Katha; these virtuous and learned Munis with senses and souls under complete control, and many others as numerous, all well-skilled in the Vedas and Vedangas and conversant with morality and pure and spotless in behaviour, waited on the illustrious Yudhishthira, and gladdened him by their sacred discourses.

 

So also numerous principal Kshatriyas, such as the illustrious and virtuous Mujaketu, Vivarddhana, Sangramjit, Durmukha, the powerful Ugrasena; Kakshasena, the lord of the Earth, Kshemaka the invincible; Kamatha, the king of Kamboja, and the mighty Kampana who alone made the Yavanas to ever tremble at his name just as the god that wields the thunder-bolt makes those Asuras, the Kalakeyas, tremble before him; Jatasura, and the king of the Madrakas, Kunti, Pulinda the king of the Kiratas, and the kings of Anga and Vanga, and Pandrya, and the king of Udhara, and Andhaka; Sumitra, and Saibya that slayer of foes; Sumanas, the king of the Kiratas, and Chanur the King of the Yavanas, Devarata, Bhoja, and the so called Bhimaratha, Srutayudha--the king of Kalinga, Jayasena the king of Magadha; and Sukarman, and Chekitana, and Puru that slayer of foes; Ketumata, Vasudana, and Vaideha and Kritakshana: Sudharman, Aniruddha, Srutayu endued with great strength; the invincible Anuparaja, the handsome Karmajit; Sisupala with his son, the king of Karusha; and the invincible youths of the Vrishni race, all equal in beauty unto the celestials, viz., Ahuka, Viprithu, Sada, Sarana, Akrura, Kritavarman, and Satyaka, the son of Sini; and Bhismaka, Ankriti, and the powerful Dyumatsena, those chief of bowmen viz., the Kaikeyas and Yajnasena of the Somaka race; these Kshatriyas endured with great might, all well-armed and wealthy, and many others also regarded as the foremost, all waited upon Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, in that Sabha, desirous of ministering to his happiness. Those princes also, endued with great strength, who dressing themselves in deer-skins learnt the science of weapons under Arjuna, waited upon Yudhishthira. The princes also of the Vrishni race, viz., Pradyumna (the son of Rukmini) and Samba, and Yuyudhana the son of Satyaki and Sudharman and Aniruddha and Saibya that foremost of men who had learnt the science of arms under Arjuna these and many other kings, used to wait on Yudhishthira on that occasion.

 

That friend of Dhananjaya, Tumburu, and the Gandharva Chitrasena with his ministers, any many other Gandharvas and Apsaras, well-skilled in vocal and instrumental music and in cadence and Kinnaras also well-versed in musical measures and motions singing celestial tunes in proper and charming voices, waited upon and gladdened the sons of Pandu and the Rishis who sat in that Sabha. Seated in that Sabha, those bull among men, of rigid vows and devoted to truth, all waited upon Yudhishthira like the celestials in heaven waiting upon Brahma.

 

Narada questions Yudhishthira about his rule

While the illustrious Pandavas were seated in that Sabha along with the principal Gandharvas, there came, unto that assembly the celestial Rishi Narada, conversant with the Vedas and Upanishads, worshipped by the celestials acquainted with histories and Puranas, well-versed in all that occurred in ancient kalpas, conversant with Nyaya and the truth of moral science, possessing a complete knowledge of the six Angas (viz., pronunciation, grammar, prosody, explanation of basic terms, description of religious rites, and astronomy). He was a perfect master in reconciling contradictory texts and differentiating in applying general principles to particular cases, as also in interpreting contraries by reference to differences in situation, eloquent, resolute, intelligent, possessed of powerful memory. He was acquainted with the science of morals and politics, learned, proficient in distinguishing inferior things from superior ones, skilled in drawing inference from evidence, competent to judge of the correctness or incorrectness of syllogistic statements consisting of five propositions. He was capable of answering successively Brihaspati himself while arguing, with definite conclusions properly framed about religion, wealth, pleasure and salvation, of great soul and beholding this whole universe, above, below, and around, as if it were present before his eyes. He was master of both the Sankhya and Yoga systems of philosophy, ever desirous of humbling the celestials and Asuras by fomenting quarrels among them, conversant with the sciences of war and treaty, proficient in drawing conclusions by judging of things not within direct ken, as also in the six sciences of treaty, war, military campaigns, maintenance of posts against the enemy and stratagems by ambuscades and reserves. He was a thorough master of every branch of learning, fond of war and music, incapable of being repulsed by any science or any course, of action, and possessed of these and numberless other accomplishments. The Rishi, having wandered over the different worlds, came into that Sabha. The celestial Rishi  of immeasurable splendour, endued with great energy was accompanied, by Parijata and the intelligent Raivata and Saumya and Sumukha. Possessing the speed of the mind, the Rishi came there and was filled with gladness upon beholding the Pandavas. The Brahmana, on arriving there, paid homage unto Yudhishthira by uttering blessings on him and wishing him victory. Beholding the learned Rishi arrive, the eldest of the Pandavas, conversant with all rules of duty, quickly stood up with his younger brothers. Bending low with humility, the monarch cheerfully saluted the Rishi, and gave with due ceremonies a befitting seat unto him. The king also gave him kine and the usual offerings of the Arghya including honey and the other ingredients. Conversant with every duty the monarch also worshipped the Rishi with gems and jewels with a whole heart. Receiving that worship from Yudhishthira in proper form, the Rishi became gratified. Thus worshipped by the Pandavas and the great Rishis, Narada possessing a complete mastery over the Vedas, said unto Yudhishthira the following words bearing upon religion, wealth, pleasures and salvation.

 

Narada said “Is the wealth you are earning being spent on proper objects? Does your mind take pleasure in virtue? Are you enjoying the pleasures of life? Does not your mind sink under their weight? Continue you in the noble conduct consistent with religion and wealth practised by your ancestors towards the three classes of subjects, (viz., good, indifferent, and bad)? Never injure you religion for the sake of wealth, or both religion and wealth for the sake of pleasure that easily seduces? Ever devoted to the good of all, conversant as you are with the timeliness of everything, follow you religion, wealth, pleasure and salvation dividing your time judiciously? With the six attributes of kings (viz., cleverness of speech, readiness in providing means, intelligence in dealing with the foe, memory, and acquaintance with morals and politics), do you attend to the seven means (viz., sowing dissensions, chastisement, conciliation, gifts, incantations, medicine and magic)? Examine you also, after a survey of your own strength and weakness, the fourteen possessions of your foes? These are the country, forts, cars, elephants, cavalry, foot-soldiers, the principal officials of state, the zenana, food supply, computations of the army and income, the religious treatises in force, the accounts of state, the revenue, wine-shops and other secret enemies. Attend you to the eight occupations (of agriculture, trade, &c), having examined your own and your enemy's means, and having made peace with your enemies? Your seven principal officers of state (viz., the governor of the citadel, the commander of forces, the chief judge, the general in interior command, the chief priest, the chief physician, and the chief astrologer), have not, I hope, succumbed to the influence of your foes, nor have they, I hope, become idle in consequence of the wealth they have earned? They are, I hope, all obedient to you. Your counsels, I hope, are never divulged by your trusted spies in disguise, by yourself or by your ministers? You ascertain, I hope, what your friends, foes and strangers are about? Make you peace and make you war at proper times? Observe you neutrality towards strangers and persons that are neutral towards you? Have you made persons like yourself, persons that are old, continent in behaviour, capable of understanding what should be done and what should not, pure as regards birth and blood, and devoted to you, your ministers? The victories of kings can be attributed to good counsels. Is your kingdom protected by ministers learned in Sastras, keeping their counsels close? Are your foes unable to injure it? You have not become the slave of sleep? Wake you at the proper time? Conversant with pursuits yielding profit, think you, during the small hours of night, as to what you should do and what you should not do the next day? You settle nothing alone, nor take counsels with many? The counsels you have resolved upon, do not become known all over your kingdom? Commence you soon to accomplish measures of great utility that are easy of accomplishment? Such measures are never obstructed? Keep you the agriculturists not out of your sight? They do not fear to approach you? Achieve you your measures through persons that are trusted incorruptible, and possessed of practical experience? I hope, people only know the measures already accomplished by you and those that have been partially accomplished and are awaiting completion, but not those that are only in contemplation and uncommenced? Have experienced teachers capable of explaining the causes of things and learned in the science of morals and every branch of learning, been appointed to instruct the princes and the chiefs of the army? Buy you a single learned man by giving in exchange a thousand ignorant individuals? The man that is learned conferreth the greatest benefit in seasons of distress. Are your forts always filled with treasure, food, weapons, water, engines and instruments, as also with engineers and bowmen? Even a single minister that is intelligent, brave, with his passions under complete control, and possessed of wisdom and judgment, is capable of conferring the highest prosperity on a king or a king's son. I ask you, therefore, whether there is even one such minister with you? Seek you to know everything about the eighteen Tirthas of the foe and fifteen of your own by means of three and three spies all unacquainted with one another? Watch you all your enemies with care and attention, and unknown to them? Is the priest you honourest, possessed of humility, and purity of blood, and renown, and without jealousy and illiberality? Has any well-behaved, intelligent, and guileless Brahmana, well-up in the ordinance, been employed by you in the performance of your daily rites before the sacred fire, and does he remind you in proper time as to when your homa should be performed? Is the astrologer you have employed skilled in reading physiognomy, capable of interpreting omens, and competent to neutralise the effect of the disturbances of nature? Have respectable servants been employed by you in offices that are respectable, indifferent ones in indifferent offices, and low ones in offices that are low? Have you appointed to high offices, ministers that are guileless and of well conduct for generations and above the common run? Oppress you not your people with cruel and severe punishment? Do your ministers rule your kingdom under your orders? Do your ministers ever slight you like sacrificial priests slighting men that are fallen (and incapable of performing any more sacrifices) or like wives slighting husbands that are proud and incontinent in their behaviour? Is the commander of your forces possessed of sufficient confidence, brave, intelligent, patient, well-conducted, of good birth, devoted to you, and competent? Treat you with consideration and regard the chief officers of your army that are skilled in every kind of welfare, are forward, well-behaved, and endued with prowess? Give you to your troops their sanctioned rations and pay in the appointed time? You do not oppress them by withholding these? Know you that the misery caused by arrears of pay and irregularity in the distribution of rations drive the troops to mutiny, and that is called by the learned to be one of the greatest of mischiefs? Are all the principal high-born men devoted to you, and ready with cheerfulness to lay down their lives in battle for your sake? I hope no single individual of passions uncontrolled is ever permitted by you to rule as he likes a number of concerns at the same time appertaining to the army? Is any servant of yours, who has accomplished well a particular business by the employment of special ability, disappointed in obtaining from you a little more regard, and an increase of food and pay? I hope you reward persons of learning and humility, and skill in every kind of knowledge with gifts of wealth and honour proportionate to their qualifications. Do you support the wives and children of men that have given their lives for you and have been distressed on your account? Cherish you with paternal affection the foe that has been weakened, or him also that has sought your shelter, having been vanquished in battle? Are you equal unto all men, and can every one approach you without fear, as if you were their mother and father? March you, without loss of time, and reflecting well upon three kinds of forces, against your foe when you hear that he is in distress? Begin you your march when the time comes, having taken into consideration all the omens you might see, the resolutions you have made, and that the ultimate victory depends upon the twelve mandalas (such as reserves, ambuscades, &c, and payment of pay to the troops in advance)? Give you gems and jewels, unto the principal officers of enemy, as they deserve, without your enemy's knowledge? Seek you to conquer your incensed foes that are slaves to their passions, having first conquered your own soul and obtained the mastery over your own senses? Before you march out against your foes, do you properly employ the four arts of reconciliation, gift (of wealth) producing disunion, and application of force? Go you out against your enemies, having first strengthened your own kingdom? Having gone out against them, exert you to the utmost to obtain victory over them? And having conquered them, seek you to protect them with care? Are your army consisting of four kinds of forces, viz., the regular troops, the allies, the mercenaries, and the irregulars, each furnished with the eight ingredients, viz., cars, elephants, horses, offices, infantry, camp-followers, spies possessing a thorough knowledge of the country, and ensigns led out against your enemies after having been well trained by superior officers? I hope you slay your foes without regarding their seasons of reaping and of famine? I hope your servants and agents in your own kingdom and in the kingdoms of your foes continue to look after their respective duties and to protect one another. I hope trusted servants have been employed by you to look after your food, the robes you wear and the perfumes you use. I hope your treasury, barns, stables arsenals, and women's apartments, are all protected by servants devoted to you and ever seeking your welfare. I hope you protect first yourself from your domestic and public servants, then from those servants of your relatives and from one another. Do your servants ever speak to you in the forenoon regarding your extravagant expenditure in respect of your drinks, sports, and women? Is your expenditure always covered by a fourth, a third or a half of your income? Cherish you always, with food and wealth, relatives, superiors, merchants, the aged, and other protégés, and the distressed? Do the accountants and clerks employed by you in looking after your income and expenditure, always appraise you every day in the forenoon of your income and expenditure? Dismiss you without fault servants accomplished in business and popular and devoted to your welfare? Do you employ superior, indifferent, and low men, after examining them well in offices they deserve? Employ you in your business persons that are thievish or open to temptation, or hostile, or minors? Persecute you your kingdom by the help of thievish or covetous men, or minors, or women? Are the agriculturists in your kingdom contented. Are large tanks and lakes constructed all over your kingdom at proper distances, without agriculture being in your realm entirely dependent on the showers of heaven? Are the agriculturists in your kingdom wanting in either seed or food? Grant you with kindness loans (of seed-grains) unto the tillers, taking only a fourth in excess of every measure by the hundred? Are the four professions of agriculture, trade, cattle-rearing, and lending at interest, carried on by honest men? Upon these depends the happiness of your people. Do the five brave and wise men, employed in the five offices of protecting the city, the citadel, the merchants, and the agriculturists, and punishing the criminals, always benefit your kingdom by working in union with one another? For the protection of your city, have the villages been made like towns, and the hamlets and outskirts of villages like villages? Are all these entirely under your supervision and sway? Are thieves and robbers that sack your town pursued by your police over the even and uneven parts of your kingdom? Console you women and are they protected in your realm? I hope you place not any confidence in them, nor divulge any secret before any of them? Having heard of any danger and having reflected on it also, lie you in the inner apartments enjoying every agreeable object? Having slept during the second and the third divisions of the night, think you of religion and profit in the fourth division wakefully. Rising from bed at the proper time and dressing yourself well, show you yourself to your people, accompanied by ministers conversant with the auspiciousness or otherwise of moments? Do men dressed in red and armed with swords and adorned with ornaments stand by your side to protect your person? Behave you like the god of justice himself unto those that deserve punishment and those that deserve worship, unto those that are dear to you and those that you like not? Seek you to cure bodily diseases by medicines and fasts, and mental illness with the advice of the aged? I hope that the physicians engaged in looking after your health are well conversant with the eight kinds of treatment and are all attached and devoted to you. Happen it ever that from covetousness or folly or pride you fail to decide between the plaintiff and the defendant who have come to you? Deprive you, through covetousness or folly, of their pensions the protégés who have sought your shelter from trustfulness or love? Do the people that inhabit your realm, bought by your foes, ever seek to raise disputes with you, uniting themselves with one another? Are those amongst your foes that are feeble always repressed by the help of troops that are strong, by the help of both counsels and troops? Are all the principal chieftains (of your empire) all devoted to you? Are they ready to lay down their lives for your sake, commanded by you?

 

Do you worship Brahmanas and wise men according to their merits in respect of various branches of learning? I tell you, such worship is without doubt, highly beneficial to you. Have you faith in the religion based on the three Vedas and practised by men who have gone before you? Do you carefully follow the practices that were followed by them? Are accomplished Brahmanas entertained in your house and in your presence with nutritive and excellent food, and do they also obtain pecuniary gifts at the conclusion of those feasts? Do you, with passions under complete control and with singleness of mind, strive to perform the sacrifices called Vajapeya and Pundarika with their full complement of rites? Bow you unto your relatives and superiors, the aged, the gods, the ascetics, the Brahmanas, and the tall trees (banyan) in villages, that are of so much benefit to people? Cause you ever grief or anger in any one? Do priests capable of granting you auspicious fruits ever stand by your side? Are your inclinations and practices such as I have described them, and as always enhance the duration of life and spread one's renown and as always help the cause of religion, pleasure, and profit? He who conducts himself according to this way, never finds his kingdom distressed or afflicted; and that monarch, subjugating the whole earth, enjoys a high degree of felicity. I hope, no well-behaved, pure-souled, and respected person is ever ruined and his life taken, on a false charge or theft, by your ministers ignorant of Shastras and acting from greed? I hope your ministers never from covetousness set free a real thief, knowing him to be such and having apprehended him with the booty about him? I hope your ministers are never won over by bribes, nor do they wrongly decide the disputes that arise between the rich and the poor. Do you keep yourself free from the fourteen vices of kings, viz., atheism, untruthfulness, anger, incautiousness, procrastination, non-visit to the wise, idleness, restlessness of mind, taking counsels with only one man, consultation with persons unacquainted with the science of profit, abandonment of a settled plan, divulgence of counsels, non-accomplishment of beneficial projects, and undertaking everything without reflection? By these even monarchs firmly seated on their thrones are ruined. Has your study of the Vedas, your wealth and knowledge of the Sastras and marriage been fruitful?”

 

After the Rishi had finished, Yudhishthira asked, “How, O Rishi, do the Vedas, wealth, wife, and knowledge of the Shastras bear fruit?”

 

The Rishi answered, “The Vedas are said to bear fruit when he that has studied them performs the Agnihotra and other sacrifices. Wealth is said to bear fruit when he that has it enjoys it himself and gives it away in charity. A wife is said to bear fruit when she is useful and when she bears children. Knowledge of the Shastras is said to bear fruit when it results in humility and good behaviour.”

 

The great ascetic Narada, having answered Yudhishthira thus, again asked that just ruler, “Do the officers of your government, O king, that are paid from the taxes levied on the community, take only their just dues from the merchants that come to your territories from distant lands impelled by the desire of gain? Are the merchants treated with consideration in your capital and kingdom, capable of bringing their goods there without being deceived by the false pretexts of (both the buyers and the officers of government)? Listen you always to the words, fraught with instructions in religion and wealth, of old men acquainted with economic doctrines? Are gifts of honey and clarified butter made to the Brahmanas intended for the increase of agricultural produce, of kine, of fruits and flowers, and for the sake of virtue? Give you always, regularly unto all the artisans and artists employed by you the materials of their works and their wages for periods not more than four months? Examine you the works executed by those that are employed by you, and applaud you them before good men, and reward you them, having shewn them proper respect? Follow you the aphorisms (of the sage) in respect of every concern particularly those relating to elephants, horses, and cars? Are the aphorisms relating to the science of arms, as also those that relate to the practice of engines in warfare--so useful to towns and fortified places, studied in your court? Are you acquainted with all mysterious incantations, and with the secrets of poisons destructive of all foes? Protect you your kingdom from the fear of fire, of snakes and other animals destructive of life, of disease, and Rakshasas? As acquainted you are with every duty, cherish you like a father, the blind, the dumb, the lame, the deformed, the friendless, and ascetics that have no homes. Have you banished these six evils, viz., sleep, idleness, fear, anger, weakness of mind, and procrastination?”

 

The illustrious bull among the Kurus, having heard these words of that best of Brahmanas, bowed down unto him and worshipped his feet. Gratified with everything he heard, the monarch said unto Narada of celestial form, “I shall do all that you have directed, for my knowledge has expanded under your advice!” Having said this the king acted conformably to that advice, and gained in time the whole Earth bounded by her belt of seas. Narada again spoke, saying, “That king who is thus employed in the protection of four orders, Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, passes his days here happily and attains hereafter to the region of Sakra.”

 

At the conclusion of Narada's words, king Yudhishthira the just worshipped him duly; and commanded by him the monarch began to reply succinctly to the questions the Rishi had asked.

 

Yudhishthira said, “O holy one, the truths of religion and morality you have indicated one after another, are just and proper. As regards myself, I duly observe those ordinances to the best of my power. Indeed, the acts that were properly performed by monarchs of yore are, without doubt, to be regarded as bearing proper fruit, and undertaken from solid reasons for the attainment of proper objects. We desire to walk in the virtuous path of those rulers that had, besides, their souls under complete control."

 

Assemblies of the Lokapalas and Brahma

Yudhishthira, having received with reverence the words of Narada and having also answered the Rishi thus, reflected for a moment. Perceiving a proper opportunity, the monarch, seated beside the Rishi, asked Narada sitting at his ease and capable of going into every world at will, in the presence of that assembly of kings, saying, “Possessed of the speed of mind, you wander over various and many worlds created in days of yore by Brahma, beholding everything. Tell me, I ask you, if you have, O Brahmana, ever beheld before anywhere an assembly room like this of mine or superior to it!”

 

Hearing these words of Yudhishthira the just, Narada smilingly answered the son of Pandu in these sweet accents, “O child, I did neither see nor hear of ever before amongst men, any assembly room built of gems and precious stones like this of yours, O Bharata. I shall, however, describe unto you the rooms of the king of the departed - Yama, of Varuna, of Indra, the King of Gods and also of Kubera who has his home in Kailasha. I shall also describe unto you the celestial Sabha of Brahma that dispels every kind of uneasiness. All these assembly rooms exhibit in their structure both celestial and human designs and present every kind of form that exists in the universe. They are ever worshipped by the gods and the Pitris, the Sadhyas, by ascetics offering sacrifices, with souls under complete command, by peaceful Munis engaged without intermission in Vedic sacrifices with presents to Brahmanas. I shall describe all these to you if you have any inclinations to listen to me!”

 

Thus addressed by Narada, the high-souled king Yudhishthira the just, with his brothers and all those foremost of Brahmanas seated around him, joined his hands in entreaty. The monarch then asked Narada, saying, “Describe unto us all those assembly rooms. We desire to listen to you. O Brahmana, what are the articles with which each of the Sabhas are made of? What is the area of each, and what is the length and breadth of each? Who wait upon the Grandsire in that assembly room? And who also upon Vasava, the Lord of the celestials and upon Yama, the son of Vivaswana? Who wait upon Varuna and upon Kubera in their respective assembly rooms. Tell us all about these. We all together desire to hear you describe them. Indeed, our curiosity is great.”

 

Thus addressed by the son of Pandu, Narada replied, saying, “O monarch, hear you all about those celestial assembly rooms one after another."

 

Indra Sabha

 

The celestial assembly room of Sakra is full of lustre. He has obtained it as the fruit of his own acts. Possessed of the splendour of the sun, it was built by Sakra himself. Capable of going everywhere at will, this celestial assembly house is full one hundred and fifty yojanas in length, and hundred yojanas in breadth, and five yojanas in height. Dispelling weakness of age, grief, fatigue, and fear, auspicious and bestowing good fortune, furnished with rooms and seats and adorned with celestial trees, it is delightful in the extreme. There sits in that assembly room, on an excellent seat, the Lord of celestials, with his wife Sachi endowed with beauty and affluence. Assuming a form incapable of description for its vagueness, with a crown on his head and bright bracelets on the upper arms, attired in robes of pure white and decked with floral wreaths of many hues, there he sits with beauty, fame, and glory by his side. The illustrious deity of a hundred sacrifices is daily waited upon. In that assembly by the Marutas in a body, each leading the life of a householder in the bosom of his family. The Siddhas, celestial Rishis, the Sadhyas in all, the gods, and Marutas of brilliant complexion and adorned with golden garlands, all of them in celestial form and decked in ornaments, always wait upon and worship the illustrious chief of the immortals, that mighty repressor of all foes. The celestial Rishis also, all of pure souls, with sins completely washed off and resplendent as the fire, and possessed of energy, and without sorrow of any kind, and freed from the fever of anxiety, and all performers of the Soma sacrifice, also wait upon and worship Indra.

 

Parasara and Parvata and Savarni and Galava; and Sankha, and the Muni, Gaursiras, and Durvasa, and Krodhana and Swena and the Muni Dhirghatamas; and Pavitrapani, Savarni, Yajnavalkya and Bhaluki; and Uddalaka, Swetaketu, and Tandya, and also Bhandayani; and Havishmat, and Garishta, and king Harischandra; and Hridya, Udarshandilya. Parasarya, Krishivala; Vataskandha, Visakha, Vidhatas and Kala. Karaladanta, Tastri, and Vishwakarman, and Tumuru; and other Rishis, some born of women and others living upon air, and others again living upon fire, these all worship Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, the lord of all the worlds. Sahadeva, and Sunitha, and Valmiki of great ascetic merit; and Samika of truthful speech, and Prachetas ever fulfilling their promises, and Medhatithi, and Vamadeva, and Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu; and Maruta and Marichi, and Sthanu of great ascetic merit; and Kakshivat, and Gautama, and Tarkhya, and also the Muni Vaishwanara; and the Muni Kalakavrikhiya and Asravya, and also Hiranmaya, and Samvartta, and Dehavya, and Viswaksena of great energy; and Kanwa, and Katyayana, and Gargya, and Kaushika; all are present there along with the celestial waters and plants; and faith, and intelligence, and the goddess of learning, and wealth, religion, and pleasure; and lightning. The rain-charged clouds, and the winds, and all the loud-sounding forces of heaven; the eastern point, the twenty seven fires conveying the sacrificial butter, Agni and Soma, and the fire of Indra, and Mitra, and Savitri, and Aryaman; Bhaga, Viswa the Sadhyas, the preceptor Brihaspati, and also Sukra; and Vishwavasu and Chitrasena, and Sumanas, and also Taruna; the Sacrifices, the gifts to Brahmanas, the planets, and the stars, and the mantras that are uttered in sacrifices; all these are present there.

 

Many Apsaras and Gandharvas, by various kinds of dances and music both instrumental and vocal, and by the practice of auspicious rites, and by the exhibition of many feats of skill, gratify the lord of the celestials. Besides these, many other Brahmanas and royal and celestial Rishis, all resplendent as the fire, decked in floral wreaths and ornaments, frequently come to and leave that assembly, riding on celestial cars of various kinds. Brihaspati and Sukra are present there on all occasions. These and many other illustrious ascetics of rigid wows, and Bhrigu and the seven Rishis who are equal unto Brahma himself, come to and leave that assembly house, riding on cars beautiful as the car of Soma, and themselves looking as bright therein as Soma himself. This is the assembly house, called Pushkaramalini, of Indra of a hundred sacrifices that I have seen. Listen now to the account of Yama's assembly house.

 

Yama Sabha

 

The assembly house of Yama, the son of Vivaswat, was built by Viswakarma. Bright as burnished gold, that assembly house covers an area of much more than a hundred yojanas. Possessed of the splendour of the sun, it yields everything that one may desire. Neither very cool nor very hot, it delights the heart. In that assembly house there is neither grief nor weakness of age, neither hunger nor thirst. Nothing disagreeable finds a place there, nor any kind of evil feelings there. Every object of desire, celestial or human, is to be found in that mansion. All kinds of enjoyable articles, as also of sweet, juicy, agreeable, and delicious edibles in profusion that are licked, sucked, and drunk, are there. The floral wreaths in that mansion are of the most delicious fragrance, and the trees that stand around it yield fruits that are desired of them. There are both cold and hot waters and these are sweet and agreeable.

 

In that mansion many royal sages of great sanctity and Brahmana sages also of great purity, cheerfully wait upon, and worship Yama, the son of Vivaswat. Yayati, Nahusha, Puru, Mandhatri, Somaka, Nriga; Trasadasyu, Kritavirya, Sautasravas; Arishtanemi, Siddha, Kritavega, Kriti, Nimi, Pratarddana, Sibi, Matsya, Prithulaksha, Vrihadratha, Vartta, Marutta, Kusika, Sankasya, Sankriti, Dhruva, Chaturaswa, Sadaswormi and Kartavirya; Bharata and Suratha, Sunitha, Nisatha, Nala, Divodasa, and Sumanas, Amvarisha, Bhagiratha; Vyaswa, Vadhraswa, Prithuvega, Prithusravas, Prishadaswa, Vasumanas, Kshupa, and Sumahavala, Vrishadgu, and Vrishasena, Purukutsa, Dhwajin and Rathin; Arshtisena, Dilipa, and Ushinara; Ausinari, Pundarika, Saryati, Sarava, and Suchi; Anga, Rishta, Vena, Dushmanta, Srinjaya and Jaya; Bhangasuri, Sunitha, and Nishada, and Bahinara; Karandhama, Balhika, Sudymna, and Madhu; Aila and Maruta; Kapota, Trinaka, and Shadeva, and Arjuna. Vysawa; Saswa and Krishaswa, and Sasavindu; Rama the son of Dasaratha, and Lakshmana, and Pratarddana; Alarka, and Kakshasena, Gaya, and Gauraswa; Rama the son of Jamadagnya, Nabhaga, and Sagara; Bhuridyumna and Mahaswa, Prithaswa, and also Janaka; king Vainya, Varisena, Purujit, and Janamejaya; Brahmadatta, and Trigarta, and king Uparichara also; Indradyumna, Bhimajanu, Gauraprishta, Nala, Gaya; Padma and Machukunda, Bhuridyumna, Prasenajit; Aristanemi, Sudymna, Prithulauswa, and Ashtaka also; a hundred kings of the Matsya race and hundred of the Vipa and a hundred of the Haya races; a hundred kings of the name of Dhritarashtra, eighty kings of the name of Janamejaya; a hundred monarchs called Brahmadatta, and a hundred kings of the name of Iri; more than two hundred Bhishmas, and also a hundred Bhimas; a hundred Prativindhyas, a hundred Nagas, and a hundred Palasas, and a hundred called Kasa and Kusa; that king of kings Santanu, and your father Pandu, Usangava, Sata-ratha, Devaraja, Jayadratha; the intelligent royal sage Brishadarva with his ministers; and a thousand other kings known by the name of Sasa-bindu, and who have died, having performed many grand horse-sacrifices with large presents to the Brahmanas--these holy royal sages of grand achievements and great knowledge of the Sastras, wait upon, and worship the son of Vivaswat in that assembly house.

 

Agastya and Matanga, and Kala, and Mrityu (Death), performers of sacrifices, the Siddhas, and many Yogins; the Pitris (belonging to the classes--called Agniswattas, Fenapa, Ushampa, Swadhavat, and Berhishada), as also those others that have forms; the wheel of time, and the illustrious conveyer himself of the sacrificial butter; all sinners among human beings, as also those that have died during the winter solstice; these officers of Yama who have been appointed to count the allotted days of everybody and everything; the Singsapa, Palasa, Kasa, and Kusa trees and plants, in their embodied forms, these all wait upon and worship the god of justice in that assembly house of his. These and many others are present at the Sabha of the king of the Pitris (manes). So numerous are they that I am incapable of describing them either by mentioning their names or deeds. The delightful assembly house, moving everywhere at the will of its owner, is of wide extent. It was built by Viswakarma after a long course of ascetic penances. Resplendent with his own effulgence, it stands glorified in all its beauty. Sannyasis of severe ascetic penance, of excellent vows, and of truthful speech, peaceful and pure and sanctified by holy deeds, of shining bodies and attired in spotless robes, decked with bracelets and floral garlands, with ear-rings of burnished gold, and adorned with their own holy acts as with the marks of their order, constantly visit that Sabha. Many illustrious Gandharvas, and many Apsaras fill every part of that mansion with music; both instrumental and vocal and with sounds of laughter and dance. Excellent perfumes, and sweet sounds and garlands of celestial flowers always contribute towards making that mansion supremely blest. Hundreds of thousands of virtuous persons, of celestial beauty and great wisdom, always wait upon and worship the illustrious Yama, the lord of created beings in that assembly house. Such is the Sabha, of the illustrious king of the Pitris! I shall now describe unto the assembly house of Varuna also called Pushkaramalini!

 

Varuna Sabha

 

The celestial Sabha of Varuna is unparalleled in splendour. In dimensions it is similar to that of Yama. Its walls and arches are all of pure white. It has been built by Viswakarma within the waters. It is surrounded on all sides by many celestial trees made of gems and jewels and yielding excellent fruits and flowers. Many plants with their weight of blossoms, blue and yellow, and black and darkish, and white and red, that stand there, or excellent bowers around. Within those bowers hundreds and thousands of birds of diverse species, beautiful and variegated, always pour forth their melodies. The atmosphere of that mansion is extremely delightful, neither cold nor hot. Owned by Varuna, that delightful assembly house of pure white consists of many rooms and is furnished with many seats. There sits Varuna attired in celestial robe, decked in celestial ornaments and jewels, with his queen, adorned with celestial scents and besmeared with paste of celestial fragrance. The Adityas wait upon and worship the illustrious Varuna, the lord of the waters.

 

Vasuki and Takshaka, and the Naga called Airavana; Krishna and Lohita; Padma and Chitra endued with great energy; the Nagas called Kambala and Aswatara; and Dhritarashtra and Balahaka; Matimat and Kundadhara and Karkotaka and Dhananjaya; Panimat and the mighty Kundaka; and Prahlada and Mushikada, and Janamejaya, all having auspicious marks and mandalas and extended hoods; these and many other snakes, without anxiety of any kind, wait upon and worship the illustrious Varuna. Bali the son of Virochana, and Naraka the subjugator of the whole Earth; Sanghraha and Viprachitti, and those Danavas called Kalakanja; and Suhanu and Durmukha and Sankha and Sumanas and also Sumati; and Ghatodara, and Mahaparswa, and Karthana and also Pithara and Viswarupa, Swarupa and Virupa, Mahasiras; and Dasagriva, Vali, and Meghavasas and Dasavara; Tittiva, and Vitabhuta, and Sanghrada, and Indratapana, these Daityas and Danavas, all bedecked with ear-rings and floral wreaths and crowns, and attired in the celestial robes, all blessed with boons and possessed of great bravery, and enjoying immortality, and all well of conduct and of excellent vows, wait upon and worship in that mansion the illustrious Varuna, the deity bearing the noose as his weapon.

 

There are also the four oceans, the river Bhagirathee, the Kalindi, the Vidisa, the Venwa, the Narmada of rapid current; the Vipasa, the Satadu, the Chandrabhaga, the Saraswati; the Iravati, the Vitasta, the Sindhu, the Devanadi; the Godavari, the Krishnavenwa and that queen of rivers the Kaveri; the Kimpuna, the Visalya and the river Vaitarani also; the Tritiya, the Jeshthila, and the great Sone (Soane); the Charmanwati and the great river Parnasa; the Sarayu, the Varavatya, and that queen of rivers the Langali, the Karatoya, the Atreyi, the red Mahanada, the Laghanti, the Gomati, the Sandhya, and also the Trisrotasi, these and other rivers which are all sacred and are world-renowned places of pilgrimage, as also other rivers and sacred waters and lakes and wells and springs, and tanks, large or small, in their personified form, wait upon and worship the lord Varuna.

 

The points of the heavens, the Earth, and all the Mountains, as also every species of aquatic animals, all worship Varuna there. Various tribes of Gandharvas and Apsaras, devoted to music, both vocal and instrumental, wait upon Varuna, singing eulogistic hymns unto him. All those mountains that are noted for being both delightful and rich in jewels, wait in that Sabha, enjoying sweet converse with one another. The chief minister of Varuna, Sunabha by name, surrounded by his sons and grandsons, also attend upon his master. These all, in their personified forms, worship the deity. Such is the assembly room of Varuna seen by me before, in the course of my wanderings. Listen now to the account I give of the assembly room of Kubera.

 

Kubera Sabha

 

Possessed of great splendour, the assembly house of Vaisravana, is a hundred yojanas in length and seventy yojanas in breadth. It was built by Vaisravana himself using his ascetic power. Possessing the splendour of the peaks of Kailasa, that mansion eclipses by its own the brilliance of the Moon himself. Supported by Guhyakas, that mansion seems to be attached to the firmament. Of celestial make, it is rendered extremely handsome with high chambers of gold. Extremely delightful and rendered fragrant with celestial perfumes, it is variegated with numberless costly jewels. Resembling the peaks of a mass of white clouds, it seems to be floating in the air. Painted with colours of celestial gold, it seems to be decked with streaks of lightning. Within that mansion sits on an excellent seat bright as the sun and covered with celestial carpets and furnished with a handsome footstool, king Vaisravana of agreeable person, attired in excellent robes and adorned with costly ornaments and ear-rings of great brilliance, surrounded by his thousand wives. Delicious and cooling breezes murmuring through forests of tall Mandaras, and bearing fragrance of extensive plantations of jasmine, as also of the lotuses on the bosom of the river Alaka and of the Nandana-gardens, always minister to the pleasure of the King of the Yakshas. There the deities with the Gandharvas surrounded by various tribes of Apsaras, sing in chorus, notes of celestial sweetness.

 

Misrakesi and Rambha, and Chitrasena, and Suchismita; and Charunetra, and Gritachi and Menaka, and Punjikasthala; and Viswachi Sahajanya, and Pramlocha and Urvasi and Ira, and Varga and Sauraveyi, and Samichi, and Vududa, and Lata--these and a thousand other Apsaras and Gandharvas, all well-skilled in music and dance, attend upon Kubera, the lord of treasures. That mansion, always filled with the notes of instrumental and vocal music, as also with the sounds of dance of various tribes of Gandharvas, and Apsaras has become extremely charming and delicious. The Gandharvas called Kinnaras, and others called Naras, and Manibhadra, and Dhanada, and Swetabhadra and Guhyaka; Kaseraka, Gandakandu, and the mighty Pradyota; Kustumvuru, Pisacha, Gajakarna, and Visalaksa, Varaha-Karna, Tamraushtica, Falkaksha, and Falodaka; Hansachuda, Sikhavarta, Vibhishana, Pushpanana, Pingalaka, Sonitoda and Pravalaka; Vrikshavaspa-niketa, and Chiravasas, these, and many other Yakshas by hundred and thousands always wait upon Kubera. The goddess Lakshmi always stays there, also Kubera's son Nalakubara. Myself and many others like myself often repair there. Many Brahmana Rishis and celestial Rishis also repair there often. Many Rakshasas, and many Gandharvas, besides those that have been named, wait upon the worship, in that mansion, the illustrious lord of all treasures. The illustrious husband of Uma and lord of created things, the three-eyed Mahadeva, the wielder of the trident and the slayer of the Asura called Bhaga-netra, the mighty god of the fierce bow, surrounded by multitudes of spirits in their hundreds and thousands, some of dwarfish stature, some of fierce visage, some hunch-backed, some of blood-red eyes, some of frightful yells, some feeding upon fat and flesh, and some terrible to behold, but all armed with various weapons and endued with the speed of wind, with the goddess Parvati ever cheerful and knowing no fatigue, always wait here upon their friend Kubera, the lord of treasures.

 

Hundreds of Gandharva chiefs, with cheerful hearts and attired in their respective robes and Viswavasu, and Haha and Huhu; and Tumburu and Parvata, and Sailusha; and Chitrasena skilled in music and also Chitraratha, these and innumerable Gandharvas worship the lord of treasures. Chakradhaman, the chief of the Vidyadharas, with his followers, wait in that mansion upon the lord of treasures. Kinnaras by hundreds and innumerable kings with Bhagadatta as their chief, and Druma, the chief of the Kimpurushas, and Mahendra, the chief of the Rakshasas, and Gandhamadana accompanied by many Yakshas and Gandharvas and many Rakshasas wait upon the lord of treasures. The virtuous Vibhishana also worships there his elder brother the lord Kubera.

 

The mountains of Himavat, Paripatra, Vindhya, Kailasa, Mandara, Malaya, Durdura, Mahendra, Gandhamadana, Indrakila, Sunaba, and Eastern and the Western hills, these and many other mountains, in their personified forms, with Meru standing before all, wait upon and worship the illustrious lord of treasures. The illustrious Nandiswaras, and Mahakala, and many spirits with arrowy ears and sharp-pointed mouths, Kaksha, Kuthimukha, Danti, and Vijaya of great ascetic merit, and the mighty white bull of Siva roaring deep, all wait in that mansion. Besides these many other Rakshasas and Pisachas worship Kubera in that assembly house. The son of Pulastya Kubera formerly used always to worship in all the modes and sit, with permission obtained, beside the god of gods, Siva, the creator of the three worlds, that supreme Deity surrounded by his attendants. One day the exalted Siva made friendship with Kubera. From that time, Mahadeva always sits on the mansion of his friend, the lord of treasures. Those best of all jewels, those princes of all gems in the three worlds, viz., Sankha and Padma, in their personified forms, accompanied by all the jewels of the earth worship Kubera.

 

This delightful assembly house of Kubera that I have seen, attached to the firmament and capable of moving along it, is such, O king.

 

Brahma Sabha

 

Listen now to the Sabha I describe unto you, belonging to Brahma the Grandsire, that house which none can describe. In the Krita age of old, the exalted deity Aditya came down from heaven into the world of men. Having seen before the assembly-house of Brahma the Self-created, Aditya was cheerfully wandering over the Earth in human form, desirous of beholding what could be seen here. It was on that occasion that the god of day spoke unto me of that celestial Sabha of the Grandsire, immeasurable and immaterial and indescribable, as regards form and shape, and capable of delighting the heart of every creature by its splendour. Hearing of the merits of that Sabha, I became desirous of beholding it. I then asked Aditya, saying, “I desire to behold the sacred Sabha of the Grandsire. O lord of light, tell me, by what ascetic penances, or by what acts, or by what charms or by what rites, I may be enabled to behold that excellent sin-cleaning Sabha?” Hearing these words of mine, Aditya answered me thus: “Observe you, with mind rapt in meditation, the Brahma vow extending for a thousand years.” Repairing then to the breast of the Himavat, I commenced that great vow, and after I had completed it the exalted and sinless deity Surya endued with great energy, and knowing no fatigue, took me with him to the Sabha of the Grandsire. It is impossible to describe that Sabha, saying it is such, for within a moment it assumes a different form that language fails to paint. It is impossible to indicate its dimensions or shape. I never saw anything like it before. Ever contributing to the happiness of those within it, its atmosphere is neither cold nor warm. Hunger and thirst or any kind of uneasiness disappear as soon as one goes there. It seems to be made up of brilliant gems of many kinds. It does not seem to be supported on columns, it knows no deterioration, being eternal. That self effulgent mansion, by its numerous blazing, celestial indications of unrivalled splendour, seems to surpass the moon, the sun and the fire in splendour. Stationed in heaven, it blazes forth, censuring as it were the maker of the day. In that mansion, the Supreme Deity, the Grand-sire of all created things, having himself created everything by virtue of his creative illusion, stays ever.

 

Daksha, Prachetas, Pulaha, Marichi, Kasyapa, Bhrigu, Atri, and Vasistha and Gautama, and also Angiras, and Pulastya, Kratu, Prahlada, and Kardama, these Prajapatis, and Angirasa of the Atharvan Veda, the Valikhilyas, the Marichipas; Intelligence, Space, Knowledge, Air, Heat, Water, Earth, Sound, Touch, Form, Taste, Scent; Nature, and the Modes, and the elemental and prime causes of the world, all stay in that mansion beside the lord Brahma. Agastya and Markandeya, Jamadagni and Bharadwaja, Samvarta, Chyavana, and Durvasa, and Rishyasringa, Sanatkumara; Asita and Devala, and Jaigishavya acquainted with truth; Rishaba, Ajitasatru, and Mani of great energy; and the Science of healing with its eight branches, all in their personified forms; the moon with all the stars and the stellar conjunctions; Aditya with all his rays; the winds; the Sacrifices, the Declarations of purpose, the Vital principles, these illustrious and vow-observing beings in their personified forms, and many others too numerous to mention, attend all upon Brahma in that mansion; Wealth and Dharma and Desire, and Joy, and Aversion, and Asceticism and Tranquillity, all wait together upon the Supreme Deity in that palace.

 

The twenty tribes of the Gandharvas and Apsaras, as also their seven other tribes, and all the Lokapalas, and Sukra, and Brihaspati, and Budha, and Angaraka, Sani, Rahu, and the other planets; the Mantras, the special Mantras; Harimat and Vasumat, the Adityas with Indra, the two Agnis mentioned by name (viz. Agnisoma and Indragni), the Marutas, Viswakarman, and the Vasus; the Pitris, and all kinds of sacrificial libations, the four Vedas. viz., Rig, Sama, Yajuh, and Atharva; all Sciences and branches of learning; Histories and all minor branches of learning; the several branches of the Vedas; the planets, the Sacrifices, the Soma, all the deities; Savitri, the seven kinds of rhyme; Understanding, Patience, Memory, Wisdom, Intelligence, Fame, Forgiveness; the Hymns of the Sama Veda; the Science of hymns in general, and various kinds of Verses and Songs; various Commentaries with arguments; all in their personified forms, and various Dramas and Poems and Stories and abridged Glosses, these also, and many others wait upon the Supreme Deity in that Sabha.

 

Kshanas, Lavas, Muhurtas, Day, Night, Fortnights, Months, the six Seasons, Years, Yugas, the four kinds of Days and Nights (viz., appearing to man, to the Pitris, to the gods, and to Brahma) and that eternal, indestructible, un-deteriorating, excellent Wheel of Time and also the Wheel of Virtue, these always wait there; and Aditi, Diti, Danu, Surasa, Vinata, Ira, Kalika, Surabi, Devi, Sarama, Gautami and the goddesses Pradha, and Kadru; these mothers of the celestials, and Rudrani, Sree, Lakshmi, Bhadra, Shashthi, the Earth, Ganga, Hri, Swaha, Kriti, the goddess Sura, Sachi Pushti, Arundhati, Samvritti, Asa, Niyati, Srishti, Rati, these and many other goddesses wait upon the Creator of all.

 

The Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Marutas, Aswins, the Viswadevas, Sadhyas, and the Pitris gifted with the speed of the mind; these all wait there upon the Grandsire. There are seven classes of Pitris, of which four classes have embodied forms and the remaining three without embodied forms. It is well known that the illustrious Vairajas and Agniswattas and Garhapattyas (three classes of Pitris) range in heaven. Those amongst the Pitris that are called the Somapas, the Ekasringras, the Chaturvedas, and the Kalas, are ever worshipped amongst the four orders of men. Gratified with the Soma, first, these gratify Soma afterwards. All these tribes of Pitris wait upon the Lord of the creation and cheerfully worship the Supreme Deity of immeasurable energy. Rakshasas, Pisachas, the Danavas and Guhyakas; Nagas, Birds, and various animals; and all mobile and immobile great beings; all worship the Grandsire. Purandara the chief of the celestials, and Varuna and Kubera and Yama, and Mahadeva accompanied by Uma, always repair there. Mahasena Kartikeya also adores there the Grandsire. Narayana himself, and the celestial Rishi, and those Rishis called Valakhillyas, and all beings born of females and all those not born of females, and whatever else is seen in the three worlds, both mobile and immobile, were all seen by me there. Eighty thousand Rishis with vital seed drawn up, and fifty thousand Rishis having sons, were all seen by me there. All the dwellers in heaven repairing there behold the Supreme Deity when they please, and worshipping him with a bow of their head return whence they came. The Grandsire of all created beings, the Soul of the universe, the Self create Brahma of immeasurable intelligence and glory, equally kind unto all creatures, honours as they deserve, and gratifies with sweet speech and gift of wealth and other enjoyable articles, the gods, the Daityas, the Nagas, the Brahmanas, the Yakshas, the Birds, the Kaleyas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, and all other exalted beings that came to him as his guests. That delicious Sabha, is always crowded with persons coming and going. Filled with every kind of energy, and worshipped by Brahmarshis, that celestial Sabha blazes forth with the graceful possessions of Brahma and looks extremely handsome, as this Sabha of yours is unrivalled in the world of men, so is that Sabha of Brahma, seen by me unrivalled in all the worlds. I have seen these Sabhas, O Bharata, in regions of the celestials. This your Sabha is unquestionably the foremost in the world of men!"