SECTION CCCXXVI

“Bhishma said, ’Thinking of Emancipation, Suka approached his sire and possessed as he was of humility and desirous of achieving his highest good, he saluted his great preceptor and said,—­Thou art well versed in the religion of Emancipation.  Do thou O illustrious one, discourse to me upon it, so that supreme tranquillity of mind, O puissant one, may be mine!—­Hearing these words of his son, the great Rishi said unto him,—­Do thou study, O son, the religion of Emancipation and all the diverse duties of life!—­At the command of his sire, Suka, that foremost of all righteous men, mastered all the treatises on Yoga, O Bharata. as also the science promulgated by Kapila.  When Vyasa behind his son to be possessed of the resplendence of the Vedas, endued with the energy of Brahma, and fully conversant with the religion of Emancipation, he addressed him, saying,—­Go thou to Janaka the ruler of Mithila.  The king of Mithila will tell thee everything for thy Emancipation.—­Bearing the command of his sire, O king, Suka proceeded to Mithila for enquiring of its king about the truth of duties and the Refuge of Emancipation.  Before he set out, his sire further told him,—­Do thou go thither by that path which ordinary human beings take.  Do not have recourse to thy Yoga-puissance for proceeding through the skies—­At this Suka was not at all surprised (for he was humble by nature).  He was further told that he should proceed thither with simplicity and not from desire of pleasure.—­Along your way do not seek for friends and spouses, since friends and spouses are causes of attachment to the world.  Although the ruler of Mithila is one in whose sacrifices we officiate, still thou shouldst not indulge in any feeling of superiority while living with him.  Thou shouldst live under his direction and in obedience to him.  Even he will dispel all thy doubts.[1738] That king is well versed in all duties and well acquainted with the scriptures on Emancipation.  He is one for whom I officiate in sacrifices.  Thou shouldst, without any scruple, do what he bids.—­Thus instructed, the righteous-souled Suka proceeded to Mithila on foot although he was able to traverse through the skies over the whole Earth with her seas.  Crossing many hills and mountains, many rivers, many waters and lakes, and many woods and forests abounding with beasts of prey and other animals, crossing, the two Varshas of Meru and Hari successively and next the Varsha of Himavat, he came at last to the Varsha known by the name of Bharata.  Having seen many countries inhabited by Chins and Huns, the great ascetic at last reached Aryavarta.  In obedience to the commands of his sire and bearing them constantly in his mind, he gradually passed along his way on the Earth like a bird passing through the air.  Passing through many delightful towns and populous cities, he saw diverse kinds of wealth without waiting to observe them.  On his way he passed