to
return to this world. O highly fortunate Yudhishthira, this region is
without beginning, or deterioration, or end for it is the very essence
of that God. And, O son of the Kurus, the Sun and the Moon every day go
round this Meru, coursing in an opposite direction. And, O sinless one,
O mighty monarch, the other luminaries also go round this king of
mountains in the self-same way. Thus the worshipful Sun who dispelleth
darkness, goeth round this (mountain) obscuring other luminaries. Then
having set, and passed the evening, that Maker of day, the Sun, taketh a
northerly course. Then again nearing the _Meru_, the divine Sun (ever)
intent on the good of all beings, again courseth, facing the east. And
in this way, the divine Moon also together with the stars goeth round
this mountain, dividing the month unto several sections, by his arrival
at the Parvas. Having thus unerringly coursed round the mighty _Meru_,
and, nourished all creatures, the Moon again repaireth unto the
_Mandar_. In the same way, that destroyer of darkness--the divine
Sun--also moveth on this unobstructed path, animating the universe.
When, desirous of causing dew, he repaireth to the south, then there
ensueth winter to all creatures. Then the Sun, turning back from the
south, by his rays draweth up the energy from all creatures both mobile
and immobile. Thereupon, men become subject to perspiration, fatigue,
drowsiness and lassitude; and living beings always feel disposed to
slumber. Thence, returning through unknown regions, that divine
effulgent one causeth shower, and thereby reviveth beings. And having,
by the comfort caused by the shower, wind, and warmth, cherished the
mobile and the immobile, the powerful Sun resumeth his former course. O
Partha, ranging thus, the Sun unerringly turneth on the wheel of Time,
influencing created things. His course is unceasing; he never resteth, O
Pandava. Withdrawing the energy of all beings, he again rendereth it
back. O Bharata, dividing time into day and night, and Kala, and
Kashiba, that lord, the Sun, dealeth life and motion to all created
things.'"

SECTION CLXIII

Vaisampayana continued, "Dwelling in that best of mountains those
high-souled ones observing excellent vows, felt themselves attracted (to
that place), and diverted themselves, eager to behold Arjuna. And
multitudes of _Gandharvas_ and _Maharshis_ gladly visited those
energetic ones, possessing prowess, of chaste desires and being the
f