uttering their melodious notes, and beautified
with large domes, is the residence to which he attains in the region of
Brahman. That abode, O king, is always filled with men and women (who
wait upon him for service). Even this is what the highly blessed Rishi
Angiras, conversant with every duty, said (regarding the fruits of such a
fast). That man who having fasted for twelve days eats a little ghee on
the thirteenth, and bears himself in this way for a whole year, succeeds
in attaining to the merits of the divine sacrifice. Such a man obtains a
car of the complexion of the newly-blown lotus, adorned with pure gold
and heaps of jewels and gems. He proceeds to the region of the Maruts
that teem with celestial damsels, that are adorned with every kind of
celestial ornament, that are redolent with celestial perfumes, and that
contain every element of felicity. The number of years he resides in
those happy regions is countless[496]. Soothed with the sound of music
and the melodious voice of Gandharvas and the sounds and blare of drums
and Panavas, he is constantly gladdened by celestial damsels of great
beauty. That man who having fasted for thirteen days eats a little ghee
on the fourteenth day, and bears himself in this way for a full year,
obtains the merits of the Mahamedha sacrifice.[497] Celestial damsels of
indescribable beauty, and whose age cannot be guessed for they are for
ever young in appearance, adorned with every ornament and with armlets of
blazing effulgence, wait upon him with many cars and follow him in his
journeys. He is waked every morning from his bed by the melodious voice
of swans, the tinkle of Nupuras, and the highly agreeable jingle of
Kanchis. Verily, he resides in a superior abode, waited upon by such
celestial damsels, for years as countless as the sands on the shores of
Ganga. That man who, keeping his senses under control, fasts for a
fortnight and takes only one meal on the sixteenth day, and bears himself
in this way for a whole year, pouring libations every day on his sacred
fire, acquires the high merits that attach to a thousand Rajasuya
sacrifices. The car he rides in is possessed of great beauty and is drawn
by swans and peacocks. Riding in such a vehicle, that is, besides,
adorned with garlands of pearls and the purest gold and graced with
bevies of celestial damsels decked with ornaments of every kind, having
one column and four arches and seven altars exceedingly auspicious,
endued