“Sakra said, ’Tell me the means, O Prahlada, by which this kind of wisdom may be attained and by which this kind of tranquillity may be made one’s own.  I solicit thee.’

“Prahlada said, ’By simplicity, by heedfulness, by cleansing the Soul, by mastering the passions, and by waiting upon aged seniors, O Sakra, a person succeeds in attaining to Emancipation.  Know this, however, that one acquires wisdom from Nature, and that the acquisition of tranquillity also is due to the same cause.  Indeed, everything else that thou perceivest is due to Nature.

“Thus addressed by the lord of the Daityas, Sakra became filled with wonder, and commended those words, O king, with a cheerful heart.  The lord of the three worlds then, having worshipped the lord of the Daityas, took his leave and proceeded to his own abode.’”

SECTION CCXXIII

“Yudhishthira said, ’Tell me, O grandsire, by adopting what sort of intelligence may a monarch, who has been divested of prosperity and crushed by Time’s heavy bludgeon, still live on this earth.’

“Bhishma said, ’In this connection is cited the old narrative of the discourse between Vasava and Virochana’s son, Vali.  One day Vasava, after having subjugated all the Asuras, repaired to the Grandsire and joining his hands bowed to him and enquired after the whereabouts of Vali.  Tell me, O Brahman, where I may now find that Vali whose wealth continued undiminished even though he used to give it away as lavishly as he wished.  He was the god of wind.  He was Varuna.  He was Surya.  He was Soma.  He was Agni that used to warm all creatures.  He became water (for the use of all).  I do not find where he now is.  Indeed, O Brahman, tell me where I may find Vali now.  Formerly, it was he who used to illumine all the points of the compass (as Surya) and to set (when evening came).  Casting off idleness, it was he who used to pour rain upon all creatures at the proper season.  I do not now see that Vali.  Indeed, tell me, O Brahmana, where I may find that chief of the Asuras now.’

“Brahman said, ’It is not becoming in thee, O Maghavat, to thus enquire after Vali now.  One should not, however, speak an untruth when one is questioned by another.  For this reason, I shall tell thee the whereabouts of Vali.  O lord of Sachi, Vali may now have taken his birth among camels or bulls or asses or horses, and having become the foremost of his species may now be staying in an empty apartment.’

“Sakra said, ’If, O Brahman, I happen to meet with Vali in an empty apartment, shall I slay him or spare him?  Tell me how I shall act.’

“Brahman said, ’Do not, O Sakra, injure Vali, Vali does not deserve death.  Thou shouldst, on the other hand, O Vasava, solicit instruction from him about morality, O Sakra, as thou pleasest.’

“Bhishma continued, ’Thus addressed by the divine Creator, Indra roamed over the earth, seated on the back of Airavata and attended by circumstances of great splendour.  He succeeded in meeting with Vali, who, as the Creator had said, was living in an empty apartment clothed in the form of an ass.’