after peace), ’the watchman,’ ‘the contented,’ ‘the lord,’ ‘the guide to salvation,’ ’the easily victorious,’ ‘the Vishnu like,’ ‘of effective wrath,’ ’the winner of battles’ and ‘the cherisher of the true religion.’  The Rishis, fearful of sin, entrusted (the temporal) power to the Kshatriyas.  As among the gods in heaven the Sun dispelleth darkness by his effulgence, so doth the king completely root out sin from this earth.  Therefore is the king’s greatness reduced from the evidences of the sacred books, and we are bound to pronounce for that side which hath spoken in favour of the king."’

“Markandeya continued, ’Then that illustrious prince, highly pleased with the victorious party, joyfully said to Atri, who had praised him erewhile.  “O regenerate Rishi, thou hast made and styled me the greatest and most excellent of men here, and compared me to the gods; therefore, shall I give thee vast and various sorts of wealth.  My impression is that thou art omniscient.  I give thee, O well-dressed and well-adorned one, a hundred millions of gold coins and also ten bharas of gold.”  Then Atri, of high austere virtues and great spiritual powers, thus welcomed (by the king), accepted all the gifts without any breach of propriety, and returned home.  And then giving his wealth to his sons and subduing his self, he cheerfully repaired to the forest with the object of performing penances.’”

SECTION CLXXXV

“Markandeya continued, ’O thou conqueror of hostile cities, in this connection Saraswati too, when interrogated by that intelligent Muni Tarkshya, had said (this).  Do thou listen to her words!  Tarkshya had asked, saying, “Excellent lady, what is the best thing for a man to do here below, and how must he act so that he may not deviate from (the path of) virtue.  Tell me all this, O beautiful lady, so that instructed by thee, I may not fall away from the path of virtue!  When and how must one offer oblations to the (sacred) fire and when must he worship so that virtue may not be compromised?  Tell me all this, O excellent lady, so that I may live without any passions, craving, or desire, in this world."’

“Markandeya continued, ’Thus questioned by that cheerful Muni and seeing him eager to learn and endued with high intelligence, Saraswati addressed these pious and beneficial words to the Brahmana, Tarkshya.’

“’Saraswati said, “He who is engaged in the study of the Vedas, and with sanctity and equanimity perceives the supreme Godhead in his proper sphere, ascends the celestial regions and attains supreme beatitude with the Immortals.  Many large, beautiful, pellucid and sacred lakes are there, abounding with fish, flowers, and golden lilies.  They are like shrines and their very sight is calculated to assuage grief.  Pious men, distinctively worshipped by virtuous well-adorned golden-complexioned Apsaras,