roceeded in silence, his face turned
towards the East and gaze directed towards the sun. As he proceeded, he
seemed to fill the entire welkin with an all-pervading noise. Beholding
him coming in that way, all the tribes of the Apsaras, struck with awe, O
king, became filled with amazement. Headed by Panchachuda and others,
they looked at Suka with eyes expanded by wonder. And they asked one
another, saying:--'What deity is this one that has attained to such a high
end? Without doubt, he comes hither, freed from all attachments and
emancipated from all desires!'--Suka then proceeded to the Malaya
mountains where Urvasi and Purvachitti used to dwell always. Both of them
beholding the energy of the son of the great regenerate Rishi, became
filled with wonder. And they said,--'Wonderful is this concentration of
attention (to Yoga) of a regenerate youth who was accustomed to the
recitation and study of the Vedas! Soon will he traverse the entire
welkin like the Moon. It was by dutiful service and humble ministrations
towards his sire that he acquired this excellent understanding. He is
firmly attached to his sire, possessed of austere penances, and is very
much loved by his sire. Alas, why has he been dismissed by his
inattentive father to proceed (thus) along a way whence there is no
return?'--Hearing these words of Urvasi, and attending to their import,
Suka, that foremost of all persons conversant with duties, cast his eyes
on all sides, and once more beheld the entire welkin, the whole Earth
with her mountains and waters and forests, and also all the lakes and
rivers. All the deities also of both sexes, joining their hands, paid
reverence to the son of the Island-born Rishi and gazed at him with
wonder and respect. That foremost of all righteous men, Suka, addressing
all of them, said these words,--'If my sire follow me and repeatedly call
after me by my name, do all of you together return him an answer for me.
Moved by the affection all of you bear for me, do you accomplish this
request of mine!'--Hearing these words of Suka, all the points of the
compass, all the forest, all the seas, all the rivers, and all the
mountains, answered him from every side, saying,--'We accept thy command,
O regenerate one! It shall be as thou sayst! It is in this way that we
answer the words spoken by the Rishi!'"'"

SECTION CCCXXXIV

"'Bhishma said, "Having spoken in this way (unto all things), the
regenerate Rishi of austere penance