Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/234

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

"Vasumat said, -If buying them, o king, be regarded by thee as improper, then take them as gift from me. For myself I answer that I will never go to those regions that are for me. Let them, therefore, be thine !

"Sivi then addressd the king thus ;-'I am, o king, Sivi by name, the son of Usinara. 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 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 lightening. Sivi then said, -'If thou regardest tbeit purchase as improper, I give them to thee. Take them all, O king 1 I shall never take them, viz., those, regions where the wise never feel the least disquiet.

"Yayti answered.--O Sivi, thou hast indeed, obtained for thyself, possessed as thou art of the prowess of Indra, infinite worlds. But I do not desire to enjoys regions given to me by others. Therefore, I accept not thy gift.'

"Ashtaka then said.-'O king, each of us have expressed our desire to give thee worlds that each of us have acquired by our religious meries. Thou acceptest not them. But leaving them for thee, we sball descend into the Earth-hell.'

"Yayati answered, "Ye all are truth-loving and wise ! Give me that which I deserve. I shall not be able to do what I have never done before'.

"Ashtaka then said, -Whose are those five golden cars that we see? Do men that repair that regions of everlasting bliss ride in them?

"Yayati answered, -Those five golden cars displayed in glory, and blazing as fire, would indeed, carry you to regions of bliss.'

"Ashtaka said, -'o king, ride on those cars thyself and repair to heaven. We can wait. We follow thee in time,'

"Yayati said. --We can now all go together. Indeed, all of us have conquered heaven. Behold, the glorious path to heaven becomes visible !'

Vaisampayana continued,'Then all those excellent monarchs riding in these cars set out for heaven for gaining admittance into it, illumi. minating the whole firmament by the glory of their virtues.

"Then Ashtaka, breaking the silence asked, 'I had always thought that Indra was my especial friend, and that I, of all others, should first