“Having said this, O Bharata, Matali soared in the sky and showed me the abodes of the celestials and their palaces.  Then the chariot yoked with steeds coursed upwards.  And the celestials and the sages began to worship (that car), O prime of men.  And I saw the regions, moving anywhere at will, and the splendour also of the highly energetic Gandharvas, Apsaras, and the celestial sages.  And Sakra’s charioteer, Matali, at once showed me Nandana and other gardens and groves belonging to the celestials.  Next I beheld Indra’s abode, Amaravati, adorned with jewels and trees yielding any sort of fruit that is desired.  There the Sun doth not shed heat; nor doth heat or cold or fatigue there affect (one), O king.  And, O great monarch, the celestials feel neither sorrow nor poverty of spirit, nor weakness, nor lassitude, O grinder of foes.  And, O ruler of men, the celestials and the others have neither anger nor covetousness.  And, O king, in the abodes of the celestials, the beings are ever contented.  And there the trees ever bear verdant foliage, and fruits, and flowers; and the various lakes are embalmed with the fragrance of lotuses.  And there the breeze is cool, and delicious, and fragrant, and pure, and inspiring.  And the ground is variegated with all kinds of gems, and adorned with blossoms.  And there were seen innumerable beautiful beasts and in the air innumerable rangers of the sky.  Then I saw the Vasus, and the Rudras, and the Sadhyas with the Marutas, and the Adityas, and the two Aswins and worshipped them.  And they conferred their benison on me, granting me strength and prowess, and energy, and celebrity, and (skill in) arms, and victory in battle.  Then, entering that romantic city adored by the Gandharvas and the celestials, with joined hands, I stood before the thousand-eyed lord of the celestials.  Thereupon, that best of bestowers gladly offered unto me half of his seat; and Vasava also with regard touched my person.  And, O Bharata, with the view of acquiring arms and learning weapons, I began to dwell in heaven, together with the gods and the Gandharvas of generous souls.  And Viswavana’s son, Chitrasena became my friend.  And he, O king, imparted unto me the entire Gandharva (science).  And, O monarch, I happily lived in Sakra’s abode, well cared for having all my desires gratified, learning weapons, listening to the notes of songs, and the clear sounds of musical instruments, and beholding the foremost of Apsaras dance.  And without neglecting to study the arts, which I learnt properly, my attention was specially fixed on the acquisition of arms.  And that lord of a thousand eyes was pleased with that purpose of mine.  Living thus in heaven, O king, I passed this period.