they enjoy happiness only in this world, but not in the next.  But those who are engaged in spiritual meditations and the study of the Vedas, who are diligent in asceticism, and who impair the vigour of their bodies by performing their duties, who have subdued their passions, and who refrain from killing any animated being, those men, O slayer of thy enemies, attain happiness in the next world, but not in this!  Those who first live a pious life, and virtuously acquire wealth in due time and then marry and perform sacrifices, attain bliss both in this and the next world.  Those foolish men again who do not acquire knowledge, nor are engaged in asceticism or charity or increasing their species; or in encompassing the pleasures and enjoyments of this world, attain bliss neither in this nor in the next world.  But all of you are proficient in knowledge and possessed of great power and strength and celestial vigour.  For the extermination (of the wicked) and for serving the purposes of the gods, ye have come from the other world and have taken your birth in this!  Ye, who are so valiant, and engaged in asceticism, self-restraining exercises, and religious ordinances, and fond of exertion, after having performed great deeds and gratified the gods and Rishis and the Pitris, ye will at last in due course attain by your own acts the supreme region—­the abode of all virtuous men!  O ornament of Kuru’s race, may no doubts cross thy mind on account of these thy sufferings, for this affliction is for thy good!”

SECTION CLXXXIII

Vaisampayana continued,—­“The sons of Pandu said to the high-souled Markandeya, ’We long to hear of the greatness of the Brahmanas Do thou tell us of it!’ Thus asked, the revered Markandeya, of austere virtue and high spiritual energy, and proficient in all departments of knowledge, replied, ’A strong-limbed, handsome young prince of the race of the Haihayas, a conqueror of hostile cities, (once) went out hunting.  And (while) roaming in the wilderness of big trees and thickets of grass, he saw, at no great distance from him, a Muni with the skin of a black antelope for his upper garment, and killed him for a deer.  Pained at what he had done, and his senses paralysed with grief, he repaired to the presence of the more distinguished of the Haihaya chiefs.  The louts-eyed prince related to them the particulars.  On hearing the account, O my son, and beholding the body of the Muni who had subsisted on fruits and roots, they were sorely afflicted in mind.  And they all set out enquiring here and there as they proceeded, as to whose son the Muni might be.  And they soon after reached the hermitage of Arishtanemi, son of Kasyapa.  And saluting that great Muni, so constant in austerity, they all remained standing, while the Muni, on his part, busied himself about their reception.  And they said unto the illustrious Muni, ’By a freak of destiny, we have ceased to merit thy welcome:  indeed, we