rsons,
viz., Vasudeva, for thy friend. I grieve for the wicked Duryodhana in
respect of even the next world to which he has gone. It was for him that
the whole earth has been depopulated with her steeds and elephants.
Indeed, through the fault of Duryodhana, of Karna, of Sakuni, and of
Duhsasana numbering the fourth, that the Kurus have perished."

"Vaisampayana continued, 'While that foremost of men, viz., the son of
Ganga, addressed him in this strain, the Kuru king (Yudhishthira)
remained entirely silent in the midst of those high-souled persons (who
had assembled together for listening to the discourses of Bhishma). All
the kings with Dhritarashtra amongst them became filled with wonder upon
hearing the words of the Kuru grandsire. In their minds they worshipped
Krishna and then turned towards him with hands joined in reverence. The
Rishis also with Narada at their head, accepted and applauded the words
of Bhishma and approved of them joyfully. These were the wonderful
discourses recited by Bhishma which Pandu's son (Yudhishthira) with all
his brothers heard with joy. Some time after, when king (Yudhishthira)
saw that Ganga's son who had given away abundant wealth as presents unto
the Brahmanas in the sacrifices performed by him, had rested and become
refreshed, the intelligent king once more asked him as follows.'"

SECTION CXLIX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having heard all the duties in their entirety and
all those sacred acts and objects that cleanse human beings of their
sins, Yudhishthira once more addressed the son of Santanu in the
following words.'

"'Yudhishthira said, "Who may be said to be the one god in the world? Who
may be said to be the one object which is our sole refuge? Who is he by
worshipping whom or hymning whose praises human being would get what is
beneficial? What religion is that which, according to thy judgment, is
the foremost of all religions? What are those Mantras by reciting which a
living creature becomes freed from the bonds of birth and life?"

"'Bhishma said, "One should always, with alacrity and throwing away all
languor, hymn the praises of that Lord of the universe, that god of gods
(viz., Vasudeva), who is Infinite and the foremost of all Beings, by
uttering His thousand names. By always worshipping with reverence and
devotion that immutable Being, by meditating on him, by hymning His
praises and bowing the head unto Him, and by performing sacrifices unto
Him, indeed by alwa