"That highest of kings, viz., Yudhishthira the son of Dharma, still rentained silent and Pandu's son Arjuna addressed Krishna and spoke as follows.

Arjuna said 'This scorcher of foes, viz., Dharma's son, is grieving for his slain kinsmen. Solace him, O Madhava.

Again, O Janardana, all of us have fallen into great calamity, You should, O mightyarmed one, remove his sorrow.

Vaishampayana continued : Thus accosted by the great Arjuna, the lotus-eyed Govinda of unfading glory looked towards the king.

Yudhishthira could never disobey Keshava. From his infancy Govinda was dearer to Yudhishthira than Arjuna himself.

Taking up the king's hand bedecked with sandal-paste and looking like a column of marble, the mighty-armed Krishna began to speak, cheering up all his hearers.

His face, adorned with beautiful teeth and eyes, shone like a full-blown lotus at sunrise.

Vasudeva said Do not, O foremost of men, so grieve as will reduce your body. They who have been killed in this battle will by no mean be got back.

Those Kshatriyas, O king, that have been killed in this great battle, are like objects that one gets in his dreams and which disappear when one awakes.

All of them were heroes and ornaments of the field. They were defeated while attacking their enemies. No one amongst them was killed with wounds on the back or while flying away.

All of them, having fought with heroes in great battle and having thrown off their lifebreaths then, have, purified by weapons, proceeded to heaven. You should not grieve for them.

Always following the duties of Kshatriyas, endued with courage, well read in the Vedas and their branches, all of them have attained to that blissful region which is obtainable by heroes. You should not grieve for them after hearing those high-souled kings of Earth, of ancient days, that departed from this world.

Regarding it is cited the old discourse of Narada before Srinjaya when the latter was greatly stricken with grief on account of the death of his sons.

Narada said Subject to happiness and misery myself, yourself, and all creatures, Srinjaya, shall have to die. What cause then is there for grief.

Listen to me as I describe the great bliss of (some) ancient kings. Hear me with rapt attention. You will then O king, cast off your sorrow.

Listening to the story of those high souled kings, lessen your sorrow. Hear me as I recite fully their stories to you.

By listening to the charming and delightful history of those kings of ancient times, unfavourable stars may be propitiated and longevity may be increased.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that there was a king of the name of Marutta who was the son of Avikshit. He also met with death. The gods with Indra and Varuna and Brihaspati at their head came to the sacrifice, called Vishvasrij, celebrated by that great king. Challenging Shakra the king of the gods, that king defeated him in battle.

To do Indra a good turn the learned Brihaspati refused to officiate at Marutta's sacrifice. Thereupon Samvarta, the younger brother of Brihaspati, complied with the king's request.

During the reign of that king, O best of kings, Earth produced crops without being tilled and was adorned with various kinds of ornaments.

In the sacrifice of that king, the Vishvedevas were the courtiers, the Maruts acted as distributors (of food and presents) and the great Saddhyas were also present.

In that sacrifice of Marutta, the Maruts drank Soma. The presents of the king excelled (in value) those ever made by the gods, the Gandharvas and men.

When even that king, O Srinjaya who was superior to you in religious merit, knowledge, renunciation, and wealth, and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son.

There was another king of the name of Suhotra the son of Atithi. We hear, O Srinjaya, that even he met with death. During his reign Indra showered gold for one whole year upon his kingdom.

Obtaining that king for her master the Earth became, in sooth, Vasumati (endued with wealth). The rivers, during the administration of that king, bore golden tortoises, crabs, alligators, sharks, and porpoises, for the worshipful Indra, O king had showered these upon them.

Seeing those innumerable golden fishes and sharks and tortoises, Atithi's son was filled with wonder.

Collecting that vast wealth of gold that covered the Earth, Suhotra celebrated a sacrifice at Kurujangala and distributed it amongst the Brahmanas.

When that king, O Srinjaya, who surpassed you in the four attributes of religious, merit, knowledge, renunciation, and wealth, and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

Your son never celebrated a sacrifice and never made presents. Knowing this, console your mind and do not grieve. We hear also, O Srinjaya, that Brihadratha the king of the Angas, met with death.

He gave away a hundred thousand horses. He gave away as presents also a hundred thousand maidens, adorned with golden ornaments in a sacrifice he celebrated.

He gave away as presents a hundred thousand elephants also of the best breed in another sacrifice celebrated by him. He gave away as presents a hundred millions also of bulls adorned with golden chains, with thousands of kine while the king of Anga performed his sacrifice by the hill called Vishnupada, Indra became intoxicated with the Soma he drank, and the Brahmanas with the presents they obtained. In the hundreds of sacrifices, o monarch, which this king performed of old, the sacrificial presents far surpassed those ever made by the gods, the Gandharvas, and men, No other man was born, or will ever be born, that gave or will give away so much wealth as was distributed by the king of the Angas in the seven sacrifices he celebrated in which Soma juice was given.

When O Srinjaya, this Brihadratha even, who was your superior in the four attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear also, O Srinjaya, that Shivi the son of Ushinara, met with death. That king governed the entire Earth as one holds, the leathern shield in his hand.

Riding on a single car, which was crowned with success in every battle, king Shivi caused the whole Earth to resound with the rattle of his wheels and brought all kings under subjection.

Ushinara's son Shibi distributed, in a sacrifice, all the kine and horses he had, both domestic and wild.

Brahma himself thought that no one amongst the kings of the past or the future had or could have borne the burden, O Srinjaya, the Ushinara's son Shibi, that best of kings and that most powerful hero, equal to that of Indra himself bore. Do not, therefore, grieve for your son who never celebrated any sacrifice nor made any present.

Indeed, O Srinjaya, when Shivi, who was far superior to your in four attributes and who was purer than your son met with death, do not grieve for your son, who is dead.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that the great Bharata also the son of Dushyanta and Shakuntala, who had a vast and well-replenished treasury met with death.

Dedicating three hundred horses to the gods on the banks of Yamuna, twenty on the banks of Sarasvati, and fourteen on the banks of Ganga, that highly energetic king, in days of old, (celebrated this order) a thousand Horsesacrifices and a hundred Rajasuyas. In days of yore, effulgent Bharata, the son of Dushyanta celebrated sacrifices.

No one amongst the kings of the Earth can imitate the great deeds of Bharata, as on man can, by the power of his arms rise up into the sky.

Erecting numerous sacrificial altars, he presented numberless horses and immense riches to the sage Kanva.

When even be, O Srinjaya, who was far superior to you in the four attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that Rama also, the son of Dasharatha, met with death. He always treated his subjects like his own begotten sons.

In his kingdom there were no widows and none that was helpless. Indeed, Rama while governing his kingdom always followed his father Dasharatha.

The clouds, pouring rain in season, caused the crops to grow profusely. During his regime, food was always abundant in his kingdom.

No death occurred by drowning or by fire. As long as Rama ruled it, there was no fear in his kingdom of any ailment.

Every man lived for a thousand years, and every man was fortunate enough to have a thousand children. During Rama's reign, all men enjoyed health and obtained the fruition of their wishes.

Even the women did not quarrel with one another, what to speak of men? During his reign his subjects were always devoted to virtue.

During Rama's regime all men contented, obtained the fruition of their desire, and were fearless, free, and truthful.

The trees always bore flowers and fruits and suffered form no accidents. Every cow gave milk filling a drona-full milk.

Having lived for fourteen years in that forest practising severe penances, Rama were celebrated ten Horse-sacrifices to which the freest access was given to all.

Youthful and having a dark complexion, and red eyes, he looked like the leader of an elephantine herd. With arms extending down to his knees and of beautiful face, his shoulders were like those of a lion and the power of his arms was great.

Seated on the throne of Ayodhya, he ruled for ten thousand and ten hundred years.

When he, O Srinjaya, who was superior to you in the four principal accomplishments and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that king Bhagiratha also died. In one of the sacrifices of that king inebriate with drinking the Soma juice, Indra, the worshipful chastiser of Paka and the king of the gods, defeated by the strength of his arms, many thousands of Asuras.

King Bhagiratha, in one of the sacrifices he celebrated, gave away a million of maidens bedecked with ornaments of gold.

Each of those maidens sat upon a car to each of which were yoked four horses. With each car were a hundred elephants, all of the best breed and adorned with golden trappings. to

Behind each elephant were a thousand horses, and behind each horse a thousand kine, and behind each cow a thousand goats and sheep.

Ganga, named (from before) Bhagirathi sat upon the lap of this king living near (her stream), and therefore, passed by the name of Urvashi.

The Ganga who had three courses had agreed to be the daughter of Bhagiratha of Ikshvaku's race, race, who always celebrated sacrifices with enough presents the Brahmanas.

When he, O Srinjaya, who was superior to you in respect of the four principle attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that the great Dilipa also met with death. The Brahmanas take pleasure in recounting his innumerable deeds.

In one of his great sacrifices that king, gave away with full heart the entire Earth, abounding with wealth, to the Brahmanas.

In each sacrifice celebrated by him, the chief priest received as sacrificial fee a thousand elephants made of gold. seven was

In one of his sacrifices, the stake was made of gold and and looked highly beautiful. Performing the duties assigned to them, the gods having Shakra for their king, used to seek refuge with that king.

Upon that highly effulgent golden stake decked with a ring, six thousand gods and Gandharvas danced in joy, and Vishvavasu himself, in their midst played on his Vina the notes according to the rules of concordance. Such the nature of Vishvavasu's music that every creature, wherever he might be, thought that the great Gandharva was playing to him alone.

No other king could imitate the deeds of king Dilipa. The elephants of that king, intoxicated and adorned with golden trappings used to lie down on the roads.

Those men went to heaven who could obtain a glance even of the great king Dwilipa who was ever truthful in speech and whose bow could bear a hundred enemies powerful like a hundred Anantas.

Three sounds never ceased in Dwilipa's mansion, viz., the sound of Vedic recitations, the twang of bows, and cries of Let it be given.

When he, O Srinjaya, who was superior to you in the four principal attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

Yuvanashva's son Mandhatri also, O Srinjaya, we have heard, met with death. The celestials named Maruts took out that child from his father's stomach through one of its sides.

Born from a quantity of clarified butter that had been purified by Mantras Mandhatri was born in the stomach of the great Yuvanashva. Highly prosperous, king Mandhatri vanquished the three worlds.

Seeing that child of celestial beauty lying on the lap of his father, the gods asked one another,-whose breasts shall this child suck?

Then Indra approached him,, saying,-He shall suck me.-From this incident the king of the deities named the child Mandhatri.

To give nourishment to that high-souled child of Yuvanashva, the finger of Indra, placed in his mouth, began to give a jet of milk.

Sucking Indra's finger, he grew up in a hundred days. In twelve days he looked like a boy of twelve years,

The whole Earth in one day was subjugated by that high-souled and virtuous and brave king who was like Indra himself in prowess.

He defeated king Angara, Marutta, Asita, Gaya and Vrihadratha the king of the Angas.

When Yuvanashva's son fought in battle with Angara, the gods thought that the sky was breaking with the twang of his bow.

The whole Earth from the point from which the Sun rises to where he sets is said to be the field of Mandhatri.

Having celebrated Horse-sacrifices and a hundred Rajasuyas, he gave to the Brahmanas many Rohita fishes.

Those fishes were each ten Yojanas in length and one in breadth. The residue after gratifying the Brahmanas, were divided amongst themselves by the other classes.

When he, O Srinjaya, who was superior to you in respect of the four principal attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that Yayati the son of Nahusha also met with death. Having brought under his sway the whole world with its seas, he journeyed through it, adorning it with various sacrificial altars the interstices between which were measured by throws of a heavy piece of wood. Indeed, he reached the very bank of the sea as he went on celebrating great sacrifices.

Having celebrated a thousand sacrifices and a hundred Vajapeyas, he pleased the lcading Brahmanas with three mountains of gold.

Having killed many Daityas and Danavas duly in battle, Nahusha's son Yayati divided the whole Earth (among his children).

At last discarding his other sons headed by Yadu and Druhyu, he installed (his youngest son) Puru on his throne and then returned to the forest accompanied by his wife.

When he, O Srinjaya, who was superior to you in the four principal attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that Amvarisha also, the son of Nabhaga, met with death. That protector (of the world) and greatest of kings was considered by his subjects as the virtue incarnate.

That king, in one of his sacrifices dedicated to the Brahmanas, for serving them, a million of kings who had themselves celebrated thousands of sacrifices each.

Pious men praised Ambarisha the son of Nabhaga, saying that such deeds had never been done before nor would be done in the future.

Those hundreds upon hundreds and thousands upon thousands of kings became (through Amvarisha's merits) crowned with the fruits of the Horse-sacrifice, and followed their chief by the Southern path to heaven).

When he, O Srinjaya, who was superior to you in the four principal attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that Shashabindu also, the son of Chitraratha, met with death. The great king had a hundred thousand wives, and a million of sons. All of them used to wear golden coats of mail and all of them were flowers of bowmen.

Each of those princes married a hundred princesses, and each princess brought a hundred elephants. With each each of those elephants were a hundred cars.

With each car were a hundred horses, all of good breed and all adorned with golden trappings. With each horse were a hundred kine, and with each cow were a hundred sheep and goats.

The immense wealth, O King, Sashavindu distributed in a Horse-sacrifice amongst the Brahmanas.

When he, O Srinjaya, who was superior to you in the four principal attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear, O Stinjaya, that Gaya also, the son of Amurtharayas, met with death. For a hundred years, that king lived upon the residue of sacrificial food.

(Pleased with his devotion) Agni offered him boons. The boons prayed for by Gaya were,-May not wealth suffer extinction even if I give ceaselessly. Let my respect virtue exist for ever.

Let my heart ever love Truth, through your 'grace, O eater of sacrificial libations.-It has been heard by us that king Gaya secured all those wishes from Agni.

On days of the new moon, on those of the full moon, and on every fourth month, for a thousand years, Gaya repeatedly celebrated the Horse-sacrifice.

Rising (at the termination of every sacrifice) he distributed a hundred thousand kine and hundreds of mules during this time.

That foremost of men pleased the gods with Soma, the Brahmanas, with wealth, the Pitris with Svadha, and the women with the satisfaction of all their desires.

In this great Horse-sacrifice, king Gaya had a golden ground made, measuring a hundred cubits in length and fifty in breadth, and gave it away as the sacrificial fee.

That foremost of men viz., Gaya the son Amurtarayas, distributed as many kine as there are sand grains, O king in the river Ganga.

When he, O Srinjaya, who was superior to you in the four principal attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that Sankriti's son Rantideva also met with death. Having practised the severest of penances and worshipped him with great reverence, he obtained these boons from Shakra, having solicited them, saying,-Let us have profuse good and innumerable guests! Let not my faith suffer any deterioration, and let us not have to beg anything of any person!

The animals both domestic and wild, killed in his sacrifice, used to come to him, viz., the great Rantideva of rigid vows and great fame, of their own accord.

The secretions that came out of the skins of the animals produced a strong and celebrated river which till now passes by the name of Charmanvati.

King Rantideva used to make presents to the. When the king said,-To you I give a hundred Nishkas! To you I give a hundred Nishkas! To you I give a hundred-the Brahinanas raised a hue and cry of refusal.

When, however, the king said-I give a thousand Nishkas--the gifts were all accepted. All the vessels and plates in Rantideva's inansion for carrying food and other articles, all the jugs and pots, the pans and plates and cups were made of gold.

There where the guests used to live in Rantideva's palace twenty thousand and one hundred kine had to be killed.

Yet even on such occasions, the cooks, adorned with ear-rings, used to say,-There is abundant juice. Eat as much as you wish, but we have not as much to-day of meat as on former occasions.-When he O Srinjaya, who was far superior to you in the four principal attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that the high-souled Sagara also met with death. He was born in the family of Ikshvaku, a foremost of men, and of superhuman power.

Sixty-thousand sons used to follow him, like countless stars waiting upon the Moon, in the cloudless autumnal sky.

He ruled the whole of this Earth. He gratified the gods by celebrating a thousand Horse-sacrifices.

He gave away to deserving Brahmanas palatial edifices with columns of gold and (other parts) made entirely of that precious metal, abounding in rich beds and bevies of beautiful ladies having eyes like lotus-petals, and various other sorts of valuable objects. At his behest the Brahmanas divided those gifts among themselves.

Out of wrath that king made the Earth to be excavated, whereupon she came to have the ocean on her bosom, and, therefore, the ocean is called Sagara after his name.

When he, O Srinjaya, who was superior to you in the four principal attributes and who was purer than your son, met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

We hear, O Srinjaya, that king Prithu also, the son of Vena met with death, the great Rishis, assembled together in the great forest, installed him in the sovereignty of the Earth.

And because it was expected that he would advance all mankind, he was, accordingly, called Prithu (the advancer). And because also he protected people from injuries (Kshatta), he was, therefore, styled of Kshatriya (protector from injuries).

Seeing Prithu the son of Vena, all the creatures of the Earth, exclaimed,-We love him affectionately!-And for the loving attachment (to him of all creatures), he was called a Raja (one who gratifies all).

The Earth, during his regime produced crops without being tilled, every leaf of the trees bore honey, and every cow gave a jugful of milk.

All men enjoyed health and all their wishes were fructified. They had no fear of any kind. They used to live, as they pleased, in fields or houses.

When Prithu desired to cross the sea, the waters become solidified. The rivers also never rose when he had to cross them but remained perfectly calm. The standard on his car moved freely everywhere.

King Prithu, in one of his great Horsesacrifices, distributed amongst the Brahmanas one and twenty mountains of gold, each measuring twelve hundred cubits.

When he, O Srinjaya, who was far superior to you in the four principal attributes and who was purer than your son met with death, do not grieve for your son who is dead.

What are you, O Srinjaya, thinking of silently? It seems, O king, that you do not pay heed to these words of mine. If you have not heard them, then this discourse of mine has been fruitless like medicine or diet to a person on the point of death.'

I am all attention, ONarada, to this discourse of yours, of excellent sense and perfumed like a garland of flowers,-this discourse regarding the conduct of great royal sages of meritorious deeds and great fame, that can surely remove grief.

Your discourse, O great sage, has not been fruitless. I have been freed from sorrow at your very sight! Like one never satiated with drinking nectar, I am not satiated with your words.

O you of true vision, If you, O lord, be inclined to show your grace towards this man burning for the death of his son, then that son, through your favour, is sure to be revived and to mix once more with me (in this life).

Narada said: I will give back to you that son of yours named Suvarnashthivin, whom Parvata gave you and who has been deprived of life! Effulgent like gold, that child shall live a thousand years.