Vedas well and the other scriptures also, having ruled his kingdom properly and caused all the four orders to adhere to their respective duties, the high-souled Hayagriva is sporting in joy the regions of the gods.  Having won many battles and cherished his subjects, having drunk the Soma juice in sacrifices and gratified the foremost of Brahmanas with presents and judiciously wielded the rod of chastisement over those placed under his sway and at last cast off his life in battle, that king is living happily in heaven.  His life was worthy of every praise.  Learned and honest men applaud it, deserving as it is of every applause.  Having won heaven and acquired the regions reserved for heroes, that high-souled monarch of virtuous deeds became crowned with success.’

SECTION XXV

Vaisampayana said, “Hearing the words of the Island-born Rishi and seeing Dhananjaya angry, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, saluted Vyasa and made the following answer.

“Yudhishthira said, ’This earthly sovereignty and the diverse enjoyments (appertaining thereto) fail to give any joy to my heart.  On the other hand, this poignant grief (consequent upon the loss of my kinsmen) is eating away its core.  Hearing the lamentations of these women who have lost their heroic husbands and children, I fail to attain peace, O sage!’”

Vaisampayana continued, “Thus addressed, the virtuous Vyasa that foremost of all persons conversant with Yoga, possessed of great wisdom and intimately acquainted with the Vedas, said unto Yudhisthira (the following words).

“Vyasa said, ’No man can acquire anything by his own acts or by sacrifices and worship.  No man can give anything to a fellow man.  Man acquires everything through Time.  The Supreme Ordainer has made the course of Time the means of acquisition.  By mere intelligence or study of the scriptures, men, if Time be unfavourable, cannot acquire any earthly possession.  Sometimes an ignorant fool may succeed in winning wealth.  Time is the efficacious means for the accomplishment of all acts.  During times of adversity, neither science, nor incantations, nor drugs, yield any fruits.  In times, however, of prosperity, those very things, properly applied, become efficacious and bear success.  By Time the winds blow violently:  by Time the clouds become rain-charged; by Time tanks become adorned with lotuses of different kinds; by Time trees in the forest become decked with flowers.  By Time nights become dark or lighted.  By Time the Moon becomes full.  If the Time for it does not come, trees do not bear flowers and fruits.  If the Time for it does not come, the currents of rivers do not become fierce.  Birds and snakes and deer and elephants and other animals never become excited when the Time for it does not come.  If the Time for it does not come, women do not conceive.  It is with Time that winter, and summer, and the rainy season come.