Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/309

Rh accept gifts; how can I do what they do not?' On the conclusion of this speech, that best of kings Yayati was then addressed by Vasumana in the following words."

Thus ends the ninety-second Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.

 

( Sambhava Parva continued. )

"Vasumana said, 'I am Vasumana, the son of Osadawsa. I would ask thee, O king, whether there are any worlds for me to enjoy, as fruits of my religious merits, in heaven or in the firmament. Thou art, O high-souled one, acquainted with all holy regions!'

Yayati answered, 'There are as many regions for thee to enjoy in heaven as the number of places in the firmament, the Earth, and the ten points of the universe, [sic]illumined by the Sun.'

"Vasumana then said, 'I give them to thee. Let those regions that are for me be thine. Therefore, though falling, thou shalt not fall. If to accept them in gift be improper for thee, then, O monarch, buy them with a straw.'

"Yayati answered, 'I do not remember, ever having bought and sold anything unfairly. This has never been done by other kings. How shall I do it therefore?'

"Vasumana said, 'If to buy them, O king, be regarded by thee as improper, then take them in gift from me. For myself I answer that I will never go to those regions that are for me. Let them therefore be thine!'

"Shivi then addressed the king thus:—'I am, O king, Shivi by name, the son of Ushinara. O father, are there in the firmament or in heaven, any worlds for me to enjoy? Thou knowest every region that one may enjoy as the fruit of his religious merit!'

"Yayati then said, 'Thou hast never, by speech or in mind disregarded the honest and the virtuous that applied to thee. There are infinite worlds for thee to enjoy in heaven, all blazing like lightning,' Shivi, then said, 'If thou regardest their 