lotus-eyed and mighty-armed Vasudeva, while yet a child (in human form) achieved the great feat of slaying Kansa for the relief of his kinsmen.  I do not venture, O son of Kunti, to enumerate the feats of this Ancient and Eternal Being, O Yudhishthira.  Without doubt, O son, high and great benefits will be reaped by thee who ownest that foremost of all persons, viz., Vasudeva, for thy friend.  I grieve for the wicked Duryodhana in respect of even the next world to which he has gone.  It was for him that the whole earth has been depopulated with her seeds and elephants.  Indeed, through the fault of Duryodhana, of Karna, of Sakuni, and of Duhsasana numbering the fourth, that the Kurus have perished.

“Vaisampayana continued, ’While that foremost of men, viz., the son of Ganga, addressed him in this strain, the Kuru king (Yudhishthira) remained entirely silent in the midst of those high-souled persons (who had assembled together for listening to the discourses of Bhishma).  All the kings with Dhritarashtra amongst them became filled with wonder upon hearing the words of the Kuru grandsire.  In their minds they worshipped Krishna and then turned towards him with hands joined in reverence.  The Rishis also with Narada at their head, accepted and applauded the words of Bhishma and approved of them joyfully.  These were the wonderful discourses recited by Bhishma which Pandu’s son (Yudhishthira) with all his brothers heard with joy.  Some time after, when king (Yudhishthira) saw that Ganga’s son who had given away abundant wealth as presents unto the Brahmanas in the sacrifices performed by him, had rested and become refreshed, the intelligent king once more asked him as follows.’”

SECTION CXLIX

“Vaisampayana said, ’Having heard all the duties in their entirety and all those sacred acts and objects that cleanse human beings of their sins.  Yudhishthira once more addressed the son of Santanu in the following words.’

“Yudhishthira said, “Who may be said to be the one god in the world?  Who may be said to be the one object which is our sole refuge?  Who is he by worshipping whom or hymning whose praises human being would get what is beneficial?  What religion is that which, according to thy judgment, is the foremost of all religions?  What are those Mantras by reciting which a living creature becomes freed from the bonds of birth and life?’

“Bhishma said, ’One should always, with alacrity and throwing away all languor, hymn the praises of that Lord of the universe, that god of gods (viz., Vasudeva), who is Infinite and the foremost of all Beings, by uttering His thousand names.  By always worshipping with reverence and devotion that immutable Being, by meditating on him, by hymning His praises and bowing the head unto Him, and by performing sacrifices unto Him, indeed by always praising Vishnu, who is without beginning and without end or destruction,