pleased with me, there, that Brahmana reverences me greatly.  I pray for some favour being shown to him, something, that is, that may bring him happiness.’  Hearing this, Manibhadra, commanded by the gods, once more said unto Kundadhara of great intelligence these words, ’Rise, rise up, O Kundadhara!  Thy suit is successful.  Be thou happy.  If this Brahmana be desirous of wealth, let wealth be given to him, that is, as much wealth as this thy friend desires.  At the command of the gods I shall give him untold wealth.’  Kundadhara, then, reflecting upon the fleeting and unreal character of the status of humanity, set his heart, O Yudhishthira, upon inclining the Brahmana to penances.  Indeed, Kundadhara said, ’I do not, O giver of wealth, beg for wealth on behalf of this Brahmana.  I desire the bestowal of another favour upon him.  I do not solicit for this devotee of mine mountains of pearls and gems or even. the whole earth with all her riches.  I desire, however, that he should be virtuous.  Let his heart find pleasure in virtue.  Let him have virtue for his stay.  Let virtue be the foremost of all objects with him.  Even this is the favour that meets with my approval.’  Manibhadra said, ’The fruits of virtue are always sovereignty and happiness of diverse kinds.  Let this one enjoy those fruits, always freed from physical pain of every kind.’

“Bhishma continued, ’Thus addressed, Kundadhara, however, of great celebrity, repeatedly solicited virtue alone for that Brahmana.  The gods were highly pleased at it.  Then Manibhadra said, ’The gods are all pleased with thee as also with this Brahmana.  This one shall become a virtuous-souled person.  He shall devote his mind to virtue.’  The Cloud, Kundadhara, became delighted, O Yudhishthira, at thus having been successful in obtaining his wish.  The boon that he had got was one that was unattainable by anybody else.  The Brahmana then beheld scattered around him many delicate fabrics of cloth.  Without minding them at all (although so costly), the Brahmana came to disrelish the world.’

“The Brahmana said, ’When this one doth not set any value upon good deeds, who else will?  I had better go to the woods for leading a life of righteousness.’[1280]

“Bhishma continued, ’Cherishing a distaste for the world, and through the grace also of the gods, that foremost of Brahmanas entered the woods and commenced to undergo the austerest of penances.  Subsisting upon Such fruits and roots as remained after serving the deities and guests, the mind of that regenerate person, O monarch, was firmly set upon virtue.  Gradually, the Brahmana, renouncing fruits and roots, betook himself to leaves of trees as his food.  Then renouncing leaves, he took to water only as his subsistence.  After that he passed many years by subsisting upon air alone.  All the while, his strength did not diminish.  This seemed exceedingly marvellous.  Devoted to virtue and engaged in the practice of the severest austerities, after a long