Bhishma said When that night passed away, the great king Kushika awoke and performed his morning rites. Accompanied by his wife he then went towards that forest which the Rishi had selected for his residence.

Arrived there, the king saw a palatial inansion made entirely of gold. Having a thousand columns each of which was made of gems and precious stones, it looked like a mansion belonging to the Gandharvas.

Kushika saw in every part of that building signs of celestial design. And he saw hills with charming valleys, and lakes with lotuses on their bosom; and mansions full of rich and curious articles, and gateways and arches, O Bharata, and the king beheld many open glades and open spots carpeted with grass, and resembling fields of gold.

And he saw many Sahakaras adorned with blossoms, and Ketakas and Uddalakas, and Dhavas, and Ashokas and blossoming Kundas, and Atimuktas.

And he saw there many Champakas and Tilakas and Bhavyas and Panasas and Vyanjulas and Karnikaras adorned with flowers.

And the king saw many Shyamas and Varanapushpas and the creepers called Astapadika, all clipt properly and beautifully.

And the king saw trees on which lotuses of various species bloomed in all their beauty, and some of which bore flowers of every season. And he saw also many mansions that looked like celestial cars or like beautiful mountains.

And at some places, O Bharata, there were tanks and lakes full of cool water and at others were those that were full of warm or hot water. And there were various kinds of excellent seats and costly beds and bedsteads made of gold and gems and overlaid with beautiful cloths and carpets. There were profuse viands and edibles, all well dressed and ready for use.

And there were talking parrots, she-parrots, Bhringarajas, Kokilas, Shatapatras with Koyashtikas and Kukkubhas, and peacocks and cocks and Datyuhas and Jivajivakas and Chakoras and monkeys and swans and Sarasas and Chakravakas.

Here and there he saw bevies of rejoicing Apsaras and conclaves of happy Gandharva, O monarch.

And he saw other Gandharvas at other places rejoicing with their dear wives. The king sometimes saw these sights and sometimes could not see them.

The king heard also sweet notes of Vocal music and the sweet voices of preceptors engaged in lecturing their disciples on the Vedas and the Scriptures. And the king also heard the harinonious notes of the geese sporting in the lakes.

Seeing such highly wonderful spectacles, the king began to reflect inwardly, saying-ls this a dream? Or, is all this due to an alienation of my mind? Or is it all real.

O, I have, without renouncing my body, attained to the beatitude of Heaven. This land is cither the sacred country of the UttaraKurus, or the abode, called Amaravati, of the king of the celestials.

0, what are these wonderful spectacles that I see! Reflecting thus, the king at last saw that foremost of Rishis.

In that golden palace having columns made of jewels and gems, the son of Bhrigu lay stretched on a costly and excellent bed.

With his wife by his side, the king approached, with an exulting heart, the Rishi as he lay on that bed. Chyavana, however, speedily disappeared at this, with the bed itself upon which he lay.

The king then saw the Rishi at another part of that forest, seated on a mat made of Kusha grass, and mentally engaged in the recital of some high Mantras.

Through his Yoga-power, thus did that Brahmana stupefy the king. In a moment that charming forest, those bevies of Apsaras, those bands of Gandharvas, those beautiful trees, all disappeared.

The bank of Ganga became as silent as usual, and appeared as before covers with Kusha grass and anthills.

Having seen that highly wonderful spectacle and its quick disappearance also, king Kushika, with his wife, became filled with wonder.

With a delighted heart, the king addressed his wife saying, see, O amiable one, the various agreeable scenes and sights, occurring nowhere else, which we two have just seen.

All this is due to the favour of Bhrigu's son and the power of his penances. By penances one attains all which cherishes in his imagination.

Penances are superior to even the kingdom of the three worlds. With penances wellperformed, Liberation itself may be acquired. Mark the power of the great and celestial Rishi Chyavana derived from his penances! He can. at his pleasure, create even other'worlds.

Only Brahmanas are born in this world for uttering and understanding sacred deeds. Who else save Chyavana could do all this?

Sovereignty may be acquired easily. But the dignity of a Brahmana is not attainable. It was through the power of a Brahmana that we were harnessed to a car like wellbroken animals.

These thoughts that passed through the king's mind, became known to Chyavana. Ascertaining the king's thoughts, the Rishi addressed him and saidCome here quickly.

Thus addressed, the king and the queen approached the great ascetic, and bending their heads they adored him who were worthy of adoration.

Uttering a benediction upon the king, the Rishi, gifted with great intelligence, O king, comforted the king and saidSit down on that seat.

After this, O monarch, the son of Bhrigu, without guile or insincerity of any sort, pleased the king with many soft words, and then saido king, you have completely subjugated the five organs of action and the five organs of knowledge with the mind as their sixth. For this you have come out unhurt from the fiery ordeal I had prepared for you.

I have been properly honoured and adored, O son, by you, O foremost of all persons gifted with speech. You have no sin, not even a minute one, in you.

Give me leave, o king, for I shall now proceed to the place I came from. I have been highly pleased with you, O king. Pray accept the boon I am ready to give!

Kushika said Before you, O holy one, I have stood like one staying in the midst of a fire. That I have not yet, O chief of Bhrigu's race, been reduced to ashes is sufficient.

Even this is the highest boon that I have got, O delighter of Bhrigu! That you have been pleased by me, O Brahmana, and that I have succeed in rescuing my race from destruction, O sinless one, are in my case the best boons.

This I consider, O learned Brahmana, as a distinct mark of your favour. The object of my life has been accomplished. Even this is what I consider the very object of my sovereignty. This is the highest fruit of my penances.

If, O learned Brahmana, you have been pleased with me, O delighter of Bhrigu, then do you remove some doubts which are in my mind.