strength, omnipresent and endued with infinite energy, it is the wind that will rive the bodies of living creatures.  It will, in this matter put forth no active energy, nor will it suspend its functions; (but do this naturally).  Even all the gods have the appellation of mortals attached to them.  Therefore, O lion among kings, do not grieve for thy son!  Repairing to heaven, the son of thy body is passing his days in perpetual happiness, having obtained those delightful regions that are for heroes.  Casting off all sorrows, he hath attained to the companionship of the righteous.  Death hath been ordained by the Creator himself for all creatures!  When their hour comes, creatures are destroyed duly.  The death of creatures arises from the creatures themselves.  Creatures kill themselves.  Death doth not kill any one, armed with her bludgeon!  Therefore, they that are wise, truly knowing death to be inevitable, because ordained by Brahma himself, never grieve for creatures that are dead.  Knowing this death to be ordained by the Supreme God, cast off, without delay; thy grief for thy dead son!’

“Vyasa continued, ’Hearing these words of grave import spoken by Narada, king Akampana, addressing his friend, said, ’O illustrious one, O foremost of Rishi, my grief is gone, and I am contented.  Hearing this history from thee, I am grateful to thee and I worship thee.’  That foremost of superior Rishi, that celestial ascetic of immeasurable soul, thus addressed by the king, proceeded to the woods of Nandava.  The frequent recital of this history for the hearing of others, as also the frequent hearing of this history, is regarded as cleansing, leading to fame and heaven and worthy of approbation.  It enhanceth besides, the period of life.  Having listened to this instructive story, cast off thy grief, O Yudhishthira, reflecting besides or, the duties of a Kshatriya and the high state (of blessedness) attainable by heroes.  Abhimanyu, that mighty car-warrior, endued with mighty energy, having slain (numerous) foes before the gaze of all bowmen, hath attained to heaven.  The great bowman, that mighty car-warrior, struggling on the field, hath fallen in the battle struck with sword and mace and dart, and bow.  Sprung from Soma, he hath disappeared in the lunar essence, cleansed of all his impurities.  Therefore, O son of Pandu, mustering all thy fortitude. thyself with thy brothers, without allowing your senses to be stupefied speedily set out, inflamed with rage, for battle.’"[87]

SECTION LIII

“Sanjaya said, ’Hearing of the origin of Death and her strange acts, king Yudhishthira, humbly addressing Vyasa, once more said these words unto him.’

“Yudhishthira said, ’Many kings there were in blessed countries, of righteous deeds and of prowess equal to that of Indra himself.  They were royal sages, O regenerate one, that were sinless and truth-speaking.  Once more, address me in words of grave import, and console me with (accounts of) the feats of those royal sages of ancient times.  What was the measure of the sacrificial gifts made by them?  Who were those high-souled royal sages of righteous deeds that made them?  Tell me all this, O illustrious one!’