and disease.  Time (in his forms of past, present, and future) arises there for use.  Time is not the ruler there.  That supreme region is the ruler of Time as also of Heaven.  That Reciter who becomes identified with his Soul (by withdrawing everything into it) goes thither.  He has, after this, never to feel any sorrow.  This region is called Supreme.  The other regions (of which I have first spoken) are hell.  I have not told thee of all those regions that are called hell.  Indeed, in comparison with that foremost of regions all the others are called hell.’

SECTION CXCIX

“Yudhishthira said, ’Thou hadst referred to the dispute between Time, Mrityu, Yama, Ikshvaku, and a Brahmana.  It behoveth thee to narrate the story in full.’

“Bhishma said, ’In connection with this subject that I am discoursing upon, is cited the old history of what transpired between Surya’s son Ikshvaku and a certain Brahmana, and Time and Mrityu.  Listen to me as to what occurred, and what was the conversation that took place between them, and the place where it happened.  There was a certain Brahmana of great fame and pious behaviour.  He was a Reciter.  Possessed of great wisdom, he was conversant with the six Angas (of the Vedas).  He was of the Kusika race and son of Pippalada.[634] He acquired (by his austerities) spiritual insight into the Angas.[635] Residing at the foot of Himavat, he was devoted to the Vedas.  Silently reciting the Gayatri composition, he practised severe austerities for attaining to Brahma.  A thousand years passed over his head while he was engaged in the observance of vows and fasts.  The goddess (of Gayatri or Savitri) showed herself to him and said, ‘I am gratified with thee.’  Continuing to recite the sacred mantra, the Brahmana remained silent and spoke not a word to the goddess.  The goddess felt compassion for him and became highly gratified.  Then that progenitrix of the Vedas applaud that recitation in which the Brahmana had been engaged.  After finishing his recitation (for that day) the Brahmana stood up and, bending his head, prostrated himself before the goddess’s feet.  The righteous-souled Reciter, addressing the goddess, said, ’By good luck, O goddess, thou hast been gratified with me and shown thyself to me.  If, indeed, thou art gratified with me, the boon I ask is that my heart may take pleasure in act of recitation.’

“Savitri said, ’What dost thou ask, O regenerate Rishi?  What wish of thine shall I accomplish?  Tell me, O foremost of Reciters, everything will be as thou wishest.’  Thus addressed by the goddess, the Brahmana, conversant with duties, replied, saying, ’Let my wish about continuing my recitations go on increasing every moment.  Let also, O auspicious goddess, the absorption of my mind into Samadhi be more complete.’  The goddess sweetly said, ‘Let it be as thou wishest.’  Desiring to do good to the Brahmana, the goddess once again addressed him, saying, ’Thou