e
foot of the high-souled deity of the Sun. If thou repairest thither, even
thither shall I go and force thee to yield up this elephant to me!'

"'"Dhritarashtra said, 'Those men that are attentive to the study of the
Vedas, that are devoted to the service of their preceptors, that are
observant of penances and excellent vows, that are firm in truth, that
never utter anything that smacks of disobedience or enmity to their
preceptors, that are always alert, and ever ready in service of seniors
and preceptors,--they repair, O great Rishi, to such regions, they that
are pure (of mind and body), that are endued with cleansed souls, that
are of restrained speech, that are firm in truth, and that are
well-versed in the Vedas. I shall proceed to a higher region! Verily,
Dhritarashtra shall not go thither!'

"'"Gautama said, 'Next to those are the eternal regions that blaze in
beauty, that are redolent with excellent perfumes, that are free from
passion, and that are free from every sorrow. They constitute the abode
of the high-souled king Varuna. If thou proceedest thither, even thither
shall I go and force thee to yield up this elephant to me!'

"'"Dhritarashtra said, 'Those men who worship the deities by observing the
vow called Chaturmasya, that perform a hundred and ten sacrifices, that
pour libations every day on their sacred fire with devotion and faith for
three years agreeably with the ordinances declared in the Vedas, that
bear without flinching the burden of all duties, that walk steadily along
the way trod by the righteous, that steadily sustain the course of
conduct followed by the righteous-souled,--only they repair to such
regions. I shall repair to a higher region. Verily, Dhritarashtra shall
not go thither!'

"'"Gautama said, 'Above them are the regions of Indra, free from passion
and sorrow, that are difficult of access and coveted by all men.
Proceeding even to the abode of Indra himself of mighty energy, I shall,
O king, force thee to yield up this elephant to me!'

"'"Dhritarashtra said, 'He who lives for a hundred years, who is endued
with heroism, who studies the Vedas, and who performs sacrifices with
devotion, verily, such men proceed to the region of Sakra. I shall repair
to a higher region. Verily, Dhritarashtra shall not go there!'

"'"Gautama said, 'Above the Heavens are the regions of the Prajapatis of
superior felicity abounding in every happiness, and divested of sorrow.
Belonging to those