“Dhritarashtra said, ’Those persons who regard hospitality to guests as a vow, who are observant of good vows (having other objects), who give shelter to Brahmanas, and who eat what remains after distribution among all those that are dependent upon them, adorn the region called Mandakini of Kuvera. (I shall not go thither, for a higher region is reserved for me)!’

“Gautama said, ’If thou repairest to those delightful woods decked with flowers, that stand on the summit of Meru, that echo with melodious voice of Kinnaris, and that are graced with beautiful Jamvus of wide-spreading branches, I shall proceed even thither and force thee to yield up this elephant to me!’

’Dhritarashtra said, ’Those Brahmanas that are endued with mild dispositions, that are devoted to truth, that are possessed of great learning in the scriptures, that are compassionate unto all creatures, that study the Puranas with all the histories, that pour libations on the sacred fire and make gifts of honey unto the Brahmanas, repair to such regions, O great Rishi!  I shall repair to a region that is higher.  Indeed Dhritarashtra shall not go thither.  If thou art acquainted with any other well-known region of felicity, speak unto me, for I shall repair even thither!’

“Gautama said, ’If thou proceedest to the woods owned by Narada and held dear by him, that are adorned with flowers and that echo with the melodious songs of the prince of Kinnaras, and that are the eternal abode of Gandharvas and Apsaras, I shall follow thee thither and force thee to yield up this elephant to me!’

“Dhritarashtra said, ’They who never solicit alms, they who cultivate music and dancing, and always rove about in joy, proceed to such regions.  O great Rishi, I shall repair to a region that is higher.  Indeed, Dhritarashtra shall not have to go thither!’

“Gautama said, ’If thou goest to that region where the Uttara-Kurus blaze in beauty and pass their days in gladness, O king, in the company of the very deities, where those beings that have their origin in fire, those that have their origin in water, and those having their origin in mountains, reside in happiness, and where Sakra raineth down the fruition of every wish, and where women live in perfect freedom, unrestrained by rules of any kind regulating their conduct of motions, and where there is no feeling of jealousy between the sexes,—­if thou repairest thither, even thither shall I proceed and force thee to yield up this elephant to me!’

“Dhritarashtra said, ’Those men that are freed from desire with respect to all articles of enjoyment, that abstain from meat, that never take up the rod of chastisement, and never inflict the least harm on mobile and immobile creatures, that have constituted themselves the soul of all creatures, that are entirely freed from the idea of meum, that have cast off attachments of every kind, that regard gain and loss as also praise and blame as equal,—­only those men, O great Rishi, repair to such regions.  I shall repair to a higher region.  Verily, Dhritarashtra shall not go thither!’