his sign, had undergone the austerest penances.  The asylum where Mahadeva had undergone those austerities is encompassed on all sides with a blazing fire.  Unapproachable by persons of uncleansed souls, that mountain is known by the name of Aditya.  There is a fiery girdle all around it, of the width of ten Yojanas, and it is incapable of being approached by Yakshas and Rakshasas and Danavas.  The illustrious god of Fire, possessed of mighty energy, dwells there in person employed in removing all impediments from the side of Mahadeva of great wisdom who remained there for a thousand celestial years, all the while standing on one foot.  Dwelling on the side of that foremost of mountains, Mahadeva of high vows (by his penances) scorched the deities greatly.[1749] At the foot of those mountains, in a retired spot, Parasara’s son of great ascetic merit, viz., Vyasa, taught the Vedas unto his disciples.  Those disciples were the highly blessed Sumantra, Vaisampayana, Jaimini of great wisdom, and Paila of great ascetic merit.  Suka proceeded to that delightful asylum where his sire, the great ascetic Vyasa, was dwelling, surrounded by his disciples.  Seated in his asylum, Vyasa beheld his son approach like a blazing fire of scattered flames, or resembling the sun himself in effulgence.  As Suka approached, he did not seem to touch the trees or the rocks of the mountain.  Completely dissociated from all objects of the senses, engaged in Yoga, the high-souled ascetic came, resembling, in speed, a shaft let from a bow.  Born on the fire-sticks, Suka, approaching, his sire, touched his feet.  With becoming formalities he then accosted the disciples of his sire.  With great cheerfulness he then detailed to his father all the particulars of his conversation with king Janaka.  Vyasa the son of Parasara, after the arrival of his puissant son, continued to dwell there on the Himavat engaged in teaching his disciples and his son.  One day as he was seated, his disciples, all well-skilled in the Vedas, having their senses under control, and endued with tranquil souls, sat themselves around him.  All of them had thoroughly mastered the Vedas with their branches.  All of them were observant of penances.  With joined hands they addressed their preceptor in the following words.

“The disciples said, We have, through thy grace, been endued with great energy.  Our fame also has spread.  There is one favour that we humbly solicit thee to grant us.  Hearing these words of theirs, the regenerate Rishi answered them, saying, “Ye sons, tell me what that boon is which ye wish I should grant you!  Hearing this answer of their preceptor, the disciples became filled with joy.  Once more bowing their heads low unto their preceptor and joining their hands, all of them in one voice said, O king, these excellent words:  If our preceptor has been pleased with us, then, O best of sages, we are sure to be crowned with success!  We all solicit thee, O great Rishi, to grant us a