action, and possessed of these and numberless other accomplishments.  The Rishi, having wandered over the different worlds, came into that Sabha.  And the celestial Rishi of immeasurable splendour, endued with great energy was accompanied, O monarch, by Parijata and the intelligent Raivata and Saumya and Sumukha.  Possessing the speed of the mind, the Rishi came thither and was filled with gladness upon beholding the Pandavas.  The Brahmana, on arriving there, paid homage unto Yudhishthira by uttering blessings on him and wishing him victory.  Beholding the learned Rishi arrive, the eldest of the Pandavas, conversant with all rules of duty, quickly stood up with his younger brothers.  Bending low with humility, the monarch cheerfully saluted the Rishi, and gave with due ceremonies a befitting seat unto him.  The king also gave him kine and the usual offerings of the Arghya including honey and the other ingredients.  Conversant with every duty the monarch also worshipped the Rishi with gems and jewels with a whole heart.  Receiving that worship from Yudhishthira in proper form, the Rishi became gratified.  Thus worshipped by the Pandavas and the great Rishis, Narada possessing a complete mastery over the Vedas, said unto Yudhishthira the following words bearing upon religion, wealth, pleasures and salvation.

“Narada said—­’Is the wealth thou art earning being spent on proper objects?  Doth thy mind take pleasure in virtue?  Art thou enjoying the pleasures of life?  Doth not thy mind sink under their weight?  O chief of men, continuest thou in the noble conduct consistent with religion and wealth practised by thy ancestors towards the three classes of subjects, (viz., good, indifferent, and bad)?  Never injurest thou religion for the sake of wealth, or both religion and wealth for the sake of pleasure that easily seduces?  O thou foremost of victorious men ever devoted to the good of all, conversant as thou art with the timeliness of everything, followest thou religion, wealth, pleasure and salvation dividing thy time judiciously?  O sinless one, with the six attributes of kings (viz., cleverness of speech, readiness in providing means, intelligence in dealing with the foe, memory, and acquaintance with morals and politics), dost thou attend to the seven means (viz., sowing dissensions, chastisement, conciliation, gifts, incantations, medicine and magic)?  Examinest thou also, after a survey of thy own strength and weakness, the fourteen possessions of thy foes?  These are the country, forts, cars, elephants, cavalry, foot-soldiers, the principal officials of state, the zenana, food supply, computations of the army and income, the religious treatises in force, the accounts of state, the revenue, wine-shops and other secret enemies.  Attendest thou to the eight occupations (of agriculture, trade, &c), having examined, O thou foremost of victorious monarchs, thy own and thy enemy’s means, and having made peace with thy enemies?  O bull of the Bharata race, thy