Sauti said:  Thus questioned, that regenerate Rishi, receiving the permission of the high-souled Vyasa, set himself to answer the question of the king.

Vaishampayana said, “Every one, O king of men, is not capable of returning to his own nature at the end of his deeds.  Whether this is so or not, is, indeed a good question asked by thee.  Hear, O king, this which is a mystery of the gods, O chief of Bharatas race.  It was explained (to us) by Vyasa of mighty energy, celestial vision and great prowess, that ancient ascetic, O Kauravya, who is the son of Parasara and who always observes high vows, who is of immeasurable understanding, who is omniscient, and who, therefore knows the end attached to all acts.

“Bhishma of mighty energy and great effulgence attained to the status of the Vasus.  Eight Vasus, O chief of Bharatas race, are now seen.  Drona entered into Brihaspati, that foremost one of Angirasas descendants.  Hridikas son Kritavarma entered the Maruts.  Pradyumna entered Sanatkumara whence he had issued.  Dhritarashtra obtained the regions, so difficult of acquisition, that belong to the Lord of treasures.  The famous Gandhari obtained the same regions with her husband Dhritarashtra.  With his two wives, Pandu proceeded to the abode of the great Indra.  Both Virata and Drupada, the king Dhrishtaketu, as also Nishatha, Akrura, Samva, Bhanukampa, and Viduratha, and Bhurishrava and Sala and king Bhuri, and Kansa, and Ugrasena, and Vasudeva, and Uttara, that foremost of men, with his brother Sankhaall these foremost of persons entered the deities.  Somas son of great prowess, named Varchas of mighty energy, became Abhimanyu, the son of Phalguna, that lion among men.  Having fought, agreeably to Kshatriya practices, with bravery such as none else had ever been able to show, that mighty-armed and righteous-souled being entered Soma.  Slain on the field of battle, O foremost of men, Karna entered Surya.  Shakuni obtained absorption into Dwapara, and Dhrishtadyumna into the deity of fire.  The sons of Dhritarashtra were all Rakshasas of fierce might.  Sanctified by death caused by weapons, those high-souled beings of prosperity all succeeded in attaining to Heaven.  Both Kshattri and king Yudhishthira entered into the god of Righteousness.  The holy and illustrious Ananta (who had taken birth as Balarama) proceeded to the region below the Earth.  Through the command of the Grandsire, he, aided by his Yoga power, supported the Earth.  Vasudeva was a portion of that eternal god of gods called Narayana.  Accordingly, he entered into Narayana. 16,000 women had been married to Vasudeva as his wives.  When the time came, O Janamejaya, they, plunged into the Sarasvati.  Casting off their (human) bodies there, they re-ascended to Heaven.  Transformed into Apsaras, they approached the presence of Vasudeva.  Those heroic and mighty car-warriors, Ghatotkaca and others, who were slain in the great battle, attained to the status, some of gods and some