Vaishampayana said At the end on the Brahmarshi (Narada's) words, Dharamaraja Yudhishthira's duly worshipped him; and then having been commanded by him he replied in detail (to the questions asked by the Rishi).

Yudhishthira said O blessed one, the truth of religion and morality indicated by you are just and proper. I duly observe them to the best of my power.

There is no doubt that the acts properly performed by the kings of the olden days should be regarded as having borne proper fruit and having been undertaken from sound motive for the attainment of proper objects.

O lord, I wish to walk in the virtuous path of those kings; but we are not able to walk along it like those self-controlled monarchs.

Vaishampayana said The greatly effulgent son of Pandu, Yudhishthira, having received with reverence the words of Narada, and having also replied to the Rishi, reflected for some time. Getting a proper opportunity the king who sat by the side of the Rishi capable of going everywhere at will asked him thus in the presence of the assembly of kings.

Yudhishthira said You possess the sped of mind, you roam over various worlds created in the days of yore by Brahma, thus everywhere seeing everything in them.

O Brahmana, tell me I ask you, if you have ever before seen anywhere an assembly-hall like this one belonging to me or superior to it.

Vaishampayana said Having heard the words of Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), Narda smiling by answered the Pandava in these sweet words.

Narada said O child, O king, O descendant of Bharata, I have never heard nor seen amongst men any assembly-hall built of gems and precious stones like one belonging to you.

I shall desirable to you the assembly-hall of the regions of the king of the Pitris (Yama) of the intelligent Varuna, of Indra, and of the deity whose abode is on the Kailasa (Kubera).

I shall (also) describe to you the assemblyhall of Brahma that dispels all misery. All these assembly-hall exhibit in their structure both celestials and human designs and present every kind of form that exists in the Universe. They are worshipped by the celestialss, the Pitris, the Ganas, the Sadhyas, the self-controlled ascetics engaged in sacrifices and the mild Rishis that are ever employed in the Vedic sacrifices with Dakshinas. O best of the Bharata race, if your mind is set upon hearing all this, (I shall describe them to you).

Vaishampayana said Having been thus addressed by Narada, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira with all the excellent Brahmanas (that were present there) joined his hands.

The high-minded Dharmaraja then thus spoke to Narada, "describe to us all those assembly-halls. We desire to hear (all about them) from you.

O Brahmana, which Sabha (assembly-hall) is made of what articles? What is the area of each, and what is the length and breadth of each? Who waits upon the Grandsire in his Sabha?

Who waits upon the king of the celestialss Vasava (Indra), upon the son of Vaivasvata Yama, upon Varuna, and upon Kubera in their assembly-halls?

O Brahmarshi, tell us all about this. We all together desire to hear you describe them. We are full of great curiosity."

Having been thus addressed, Narada replied, O king, hear all about these Sabha one after the other.