royal sages crowned with ascetic success, and heroes who had yielded up their lives in battle, and those that had acquired heaven by their ascetic austerities, by hundreds upon hundreds.  And there were also Gandharvas, of bodies blazing like the sun, by thousands upon thousands, as also Guhyakas and Rishis and numerous tribes of Apsaras.  And beholding those self-effulgent regions, Phalguna became filled with wonder, and made enquiries of Matali.  And Matali also gladly replied unto him, saying, ’These, O son of Pritha, are virtuous persons stationed in their respective places.  It is these whom thou hast seen, O exalted one, as stars, from the earth.’  Then Arjuna saw standing at the gates (Indra’s region) the handsome and ever victorious elephant—­Airavata—­furnished with four tusks, and resembling the mountain of Kailasa with its summits.  And coursing along that path of the Siddhas, that foremost of the Kurus and the son of Pandu, sat in beauty like Mandhata—­that best of kings.  Endued with eyes like lotus leaves, he passed through the region set apart for virtuous kings.  And the celebrated Arjuna having thus passed through successive regions of heaven at last beheld Amaravati, the city of Indra.”

SECTION XLIII

Vaisampayana said, “And the city of Indra which Arjuna saw was delightful and was the resort of Siddhas and Charanas.  And it was adorned with the flowers of every season, and with sacred trees of all kinds.  And he beheld also celestial gardens called Nandana—­the favourite resort of Apsaras.  And fanned by the fragrant breezes charged with the farina of sweet-scented flowers, the trees with their lord of celestial blossoms seemed to welcome him amongst them.  And the region was such that none could behold it who had not gone through ascetic austerities, or who had not poured libations on fire.  It was a region for the virtuous alone, and not for those who had turned their back on the field of battle.  And none were competent to see it who had not performed sacrifices or observed rigid vows, or who were without a knowledge of the Vedas, or who had not bathed in sacred waters, or who were not distinguished for sacrifices and gifts.  And none were competent to see it who were disturbers of sacrifices, or who were low, or who drank intoxicating liquors, or who were violators of their preceptors’ bed, or who were eaters of (unsanctified) meat, or who were wicked.  And having beheld those celestial gardens resounding with celestial music, the strong-armed son of Pandu entered the favourite city of Indra.  And he beheld there celestial cars by thousands, capable of going everywhere at will, stationed in proper places.  And he saw tens of thousands of such cars moving in every direction.  And fanned by pleasant breezes charged with the perfumes of flowers, the son of Pandu was praised by Apsaras and Gandharvas.  And the celestials then, accompanied by the Gandharvas and