“Markandeya said, ’O king, O them foremost of virtuous men, this question of thine appertains to a great mystery.  It is sacred and much applauded by the Rishis.  Appertaining as it also does to virtue, I will speak of it to thee.  The distance of Yama’s region from the abode of men is, O king, eighty-six thousand Yojanas!  The way is over space, without water, and very terrible to behold; Nowhere on that road is the shade of a tree, nowhere any water, and nowhere any resting place in which the traveller, when fatigued, may rest for some moments.  And men and women and all on earth that have life, are forcibly led along this way by the messengers of Yama.  Those creatures that obey the mandates of the grim king, and they, O king, that have given horses and other good conveyances unto Brahmanas, proceed along this way on those animals and vehicles.  And they that have given umbrellas proceed along this way with umbrellas warding off the sun’s rays.  And they that have given food, proceed without hunger, while they that have not given food proceed afflicted with hunger.  And they that have given robes, proceed along this way attired in robes while they that have given none, proceed naked.  And they that have given gold, proceed in happiness, themselves decked in ornaments.  And they that have given land, proceed with every desire completely gratified.  And they that have given grain, proceed without being afflicted with any want.  And they that have given houses, proceed happily on cars.  And those men that have given something to drink, proceed with cheerful hearts unafflicted with thirst.  And they that have given lights, proceed happily lighting the way before them.  And they that have given kine, proceed along the way happily, freed from all their sins.  And they that have fasted for a month, proceed on cars drawn by swans.  And they who have fasted for six nights, proceed on cars drawn by peacocks.  And, O son of Pandu, he that fasteth three nights upon only one meal without a second during this period goeth into a region free from disease and anxiety.  And water hath this excellent property that it produceth happiness in the region of Yama.  And they that give water find for themselves a river there of the name of Pushpodaka.  And the givers of water on the earth drink cool and ambrosial draughts from that stream.  And they that are of evil deeds have pus ordained for them.  Thus, O great king, that river serveth all purposes.  Therefore, O king, adore thou duly these Brahmanas (that are with thee).  Weak in limbs owing to the way he has walked, and besmeared with the dust of the high-road, the traveller enquireth for the name of him who giveth food, and cometh in hope to his house.  Adore thou him with reverent attention, for he indeed is a guest, and he is a Brahmana.  The gods with Indra at their head follow him as he proceedeth.  And if he is adored, the gods with Indra become gratified, and if he is not adored, the celestials with their chief become cheerless.  Therefore, O thou foremost of kings, worship thou these Brahmanas duly.  I have thus spoken to thee upon a hundred subjects.  What dost thou desire to hear from me again?’