of the Kurus, the Sun and the Moon every day go round this Meru, coursing in an opposite direction.  And, O sinless one.  O mighty monarch, the other luminaries also go round this king of mountains in the self-same way.  Thus the worshipful Sun who dispelleth darkness, goeth round this (mountain) obscuring other luminaries.  Then having set, and passed the evening, that Maker of day, the Sun, taketh a northerly course.  Then again nearing the Meru, the divine Sun (ever) intent on the good of all beings, again courseth, facing the east.  And in this way, the divine Moon also together with the stars goeth round this mountain, dividing the month unto several sections, by his arrival at the Parvas.  Having thus unerringly coursed round the mighty Meru, and, nourished all creatures, the Moon again repaireth unto the Mandar.  In the same way, that destroyer of darkness—­the divine Sun—­also moveth on this unobstructed path, animating the universe.  When, desirous of causing dew, he repaireth to the south, then there ensueth winter to all creatures.  Then the Sun, turning back from the south, by his rays draweth up the energy from all creatures both mobile and immobile.  Thereupon, men become subject to perspiration, fatigue, drowsiness and lassitude; and living beings always feel disposed to slumber.  Thence, returning through unknown regions, that divine effulgent one causeth shower, and thereby reviveth beings.  And having, by the comfort caused by the shower, wind, and warmth, cherished the mobile and the immobile, the powerful Sun resumeth his former course.  O Partha, ranging thus, the Sun unerringly turneth on the wheel of Time, influencing created things.  His course is unceasing; he never resteth, O Pandava.  Withdrawing the energy of all beings, he again rendereth it back.  O Bharata, dividing time into day and night, and Kala, and Kashtha, that lord, the Sun, dealeth life and motion to all created things.’”

SECTION CLXIII

Vaisampayana continued, “Dwelling in that best of mountains those high-souled ones observing excellent vows, felt themselves attracted (to that place), and diverted themselves, eager to behold Arjuna.  And multitudes of Gandharvas and Maharshis gladly visited those energetic ones, possessing prowess, of chaste desires and being the foremost of those endued with truth and fortitude.  And having arrived at that excellent mountain furnished with trees bearing blossoms, those mighty charioteers were exceedingly delighted, even as the Marutas, on arriving at the celestial regions.  And experiencing great exhilaration, they lived (there), seeing the slopes and summits of that mighty mountain, filled with flowers, and resonant with the cries of peacocks and cranes.  And on that beautiful mountain they beheld lakes filled with lotuses, and having their shores covered with trees, and frequented by darkness, and karandavas and swans.  And the flourishing sporting-regions,