and also agitated by emotions. And as the garlands
of those about to fall fade away, fear invadeth their
hearts. These mighty drawbacks, O Mudgala, extend
even to the regions of Brahma. In the celestial
regions, the virtues of men who have performed righteous
acts, are countless. And, O
Muni, this
is another of the attributes of the fallen that, by
reason of their merits, they take birth among men.
And then they attain to high fortune and happiness.
If one, however, cannot acquire knowledge here, one
cometh by an inferior birth. The fruits of acts
done in this world are reaped in the next. This
world, O Brahmana, hath been declared to be one of
acts; the others, as one of fruit. Thus have I,
O Mudgala, asked by thee, described all unto thee.
Now, O pious one, with thy favour, we shall easily
set out with speed."’
“Vyasa continued, ’Having heard this speech,
Mudgala began to reflect in his mind. And having
deliberated well, that best of Munis spake thus
unto the celestial messenger, “O messenger of
the gods, I bow unto thee. Do thou, O sire, depart
in peace. I have nothing to do with either happiness,
or heaven having such prominent defects. Persons
who enjoy heaven suffer, after all, huge misery and
extreme regret in this world. Therefore, I do
not desire heaven. I shall seek for that unfailing
region repairing whither people have not to lament,
or to be pained, or agitated. Thou hast described
unto me these great defects belonging to the celestial
regions. Do thou now describe unto me a region
free from faults.” Thereupon the celestial
messenger said, “Above the abode of Brahma,
there is the supreme seat of Vishnu, pure, and eternal,
and luminous known by the name of Para Brahma.
Thither, O Brahmana, cannot repair persons who are
attached to the objects of the senses: nor can
those subject to arrogance, covetousness, ignorance,
anger, and envy, go to that place. It is only
those that are free from affection, and those free
from pride, and those free from conflicting emotions,
and those that have restrained their senses, and those
given to contemplation and Yoga, that can repair
thither.” Having heard these words, the
Muni bade farewell to the celestial messenger,
and that virtuous one leading the Unchha mode
of life, assumed perfect contentment. And then
praise and dispraise became equal unto him; and a
brickbat, stone, and gold assumed the same aspect
in his eyes. And availing himself of the means
of attaining Brahma, he became always engaged
in meditation. And having obtained power by means
of knowledge, and acquired excellent understanding,
he attained that supreme state of emancipation which
is regarded as Eternal. Therefore, thou also,
O Kunti’s son, ought not to grieve. Deprived
thou hast truly been of a flourishing kingdom, but
thou wilt regain it by thy ascetic austerities.
Misery after happiness, and happiness after misery,
revolve by turns round a man even like the point of
a wheel’s circumference round the axle.
After the thirteenth year hath passed away, thou wilt,
O thou of immeasurable might, get back the kingdom
possessed before thee by thy father and grand-father.
Therefore, let the fever of thy heart depart!’”
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