indulgences, and saintliness.  And the name by which he was known to the world was Astika.  And he was known by the name of Astika (whoever is) because his father had gone to the woods, saying.  ‘There is’, when he was in the womb.  Though but a boy, he had great gravity and intelligence.  And he was reared with great care in the palace of the snakes.  And he was like the illustrious lord of the celestials, Mahadeva of the golden form, the wielder of the trident.  And he grew up day by day, the delight of all the snakes.’”

SECTION XLIX

(Astika Parva continued)

“Saunaka said, ’Tell me again, in detail,—­all that king Janamejaya had asked his ministers about his father’s ascension to heaven.’

’Sauti said, ’O Brahmana, hear all that the king asked his ministers, and all that they said about the death of Parikshit.’

“Janamejaya asked, ’Know ye all that befell my father.  How did that famous king, in time, meet with his death?  Hearing from you the incidents of my father’s life in detail, I shall ordain something, if it be for the benefit of the world.  Otherwise, I shall do nothing.’

’The minister replied, ’Hear, O monarch, what thou hast asked, viz., an account of thy illustrious father’s life, and how also that king of kings left this world.  Thy father was virtuous and high-souled, and always protected his people.  O, hear, how that high-souled one conducted himself on earth.  Like unto an impersonation of virtue and justice, the monarch, cognisant of virtue, virtuously protected the four orders, each engaged in the discharge of their specified duties.  Of incomparable prowess, and blessed with fortune, he protected the goddess Earth.  There was none who hated him and he himself hated none.  Like unto Prajapati (Brahma) he was equally disposed towards all creatures.  O monarch, Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, all engaged contentedly in the practice of their respective duties, were impartially protected by that king.  Widows and orphans, the maimed and the poor, he maintained.  Of handsome features, he was unto all creatures like a second Soma.  Cherishing his subjects and keeping them contented, blessed with good fortune, truth-telling, of immense prowess, he was the disciple of Saradwat in the science of arms.  And, O Janamejaya, thy father was dear unto Govinda.  Of great fame, he was loved by all men.  And he was born in the womb of Uttara when the Kuru race was almost extinct.  And, therefore, the mighty son of Abhimanyu came to be called Parikshit (born in an extinct line).  Well-versed in the interpretation of treatises on the duties of kings, he was gifted with every virtue.  With passions under complete control, intelligent, possessing a retentive memory, the practiser of all virtues, the conqueror of his six passions of powerful mind, surpassing all, and fully acquainted with the science of morality and political science, the father had ruled over these subjects for sixty years.  And he then died, mourned by all his subjects.  And, after him, O first of men, thou hast acquired this hereditary kingdom of the Kurus for the last thousand years.  Thou wast installed while a child, and art thus protecting every creature.’