“Meanwhile, the Kuru prince Pandu (after sending away his attendants) accompanied by his two wives and eating fruits and roots went to the mountains of Nagasata.  He next went to Chaitraratha, and then crossed the Kalakuta, and finally, crossing the Himavat, he arrived at Gandhamadana.  Protected by Mahabhutas, Siddhas, and great Rishis, Pandu lived, O king, sometimes on level ground and sometimes on mountain slopes.  He then journeyed on to the lake of Indradyumna, whence crossing the mountains of Hansakuta, he went to the mountain of hundred peaks (Sata-sringa) and there continued to practise ascetic austerities.’”

SECTION CXX

(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’Pandu, possessed of great energy, then devoted himself to asceticism.  Within a short time he became the favourite of the whole body of the Siddhas and Charanas residing there.  And, O Bharata, devoted to the service of his spiritual masters, free from vanity, with mind under complete control and the passions fully subdued, the prince, becoming competent to enter heaven by his own energy, attained to great (ascetic) prowess.  Some of the Rishis would call him brother, some friend, while others cherished him as their son.  And, O bull of Bharata’s race, having acquired after a long time great ascetic merit coupled with complete singleness, Pandu became even like a Brahmarshi (though he was a Kshatriya by birth).

“On a certain day of the new moon, the great Rishis of rigid vows assembled together, and desirous of beholding Brahman were on the point of starting on their expedition.  Seeing them about to start, Pandu asked those ascetics, saying, ‘Ye first of eloquent men, where shall we go?’ The Rishis answered, ’There will be a great gathering today, in the abode of Brahman, of celestials, Rishis and Pitris.  Desirous of beholding the Self-create we shall go there today.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Hearing this, Pandu rose up suddenly, desirous of visiting heaven along with the great Rishis.  Accompanied by his two wives, when he was on the point of following the Rishis in the northerly direction from the mountain of hundred peaks, those ascetics addressed him saying, ’In our northward march, while gradually ascending the king of mountains, we have seen on its delightful breast many regions inaccessible to ordinary mortals; retreats also of the gods, and Gandharvas and Apsaras, with palatial mansions by hundreds clustering thick around and resounding with the sweet notes of celestial music, the gardens of Kuvera laid out on even and uneven grounds, banks of mighty rivers, and deep caverns.  There are many regions also on those heights that are covered with perpetual snow and are utterly destitute of vegetable and animal existence.  In some places the downpour of rain is so heavy that they are perfectly inaccessible and incapable of being utilised for habitation.  Not to speak of other animals, even winged creatures cannot cross them.  The only thing that can go there is air, and the only beings, Siddhas and great Rishis.  How shall these princesses ascend those heights of the king of mountains?  Unaccustomed to pain, shall they not droop in affliction?  Therefore, come not with us, O bull of Bharata’s race!’