ach. Thou shalt become a relative (by marriage) of the Bhargavas.'"

"'Bhishma continued, "Hearing these words of the high-souled ascetic
Chyavana, king Kusika became filled with joy, and made answer in the
following words, 'Indeed, O best of the Bharatas', he said, 'So be it!'
Endued with high energy, Chyavana once more addressed the king, and urged
him to accept a boon from himself. The king replied, 'Very well. From
thee, O great ascetic, I shall obtain the fruition of my wish. Let my
race become invested with the status of Brahmanahood, and let it always
set its heart upon righteousness.' The ascetic Chyavana, thus solicited,
granted the king's prayer, and bidding farewell to the monarch, set out
on his intended tour to the sacred waters. I have now told thee
everything, O Bharata, relating to thy questions, viz., how the Bhrigus
and the Kusikas became connected with each other by marriage. Indeed, O
king, everything fell out as the Rishi Chyavana had said. The birth of
Rama (of Bhrigu's race) and of Viswamitra (of Kusika's race) happened in
the way that Chyavana had indicated."'"

SECTION LVII

"'Yudhishthira said, "Hearing thy words I become stupefied, O grandsire!
Reflecting that the earth is now destitute of a very large number of
kings all of whom were possessed of great prosperity, my heart becomes
filled with grief. Having conquered the earth and acquired kingdoms
numbered by hundreds, O Bharata, I turn with grief, O Grandsire, at the
thought of the millions of men I have slaughtered. Alas, what will be the
plight of those foremost ladies who have been deprived by us of husbands
and sons and maternal uncles and brothers? Having slain those Kurus--our
kinsmen, that is, our friends and well-wishers,--we shall have to sink in
hell, heads (hanging) downwards. There is no doubt of this. I desire, O
Bharata, to address my body to severe penances. With that end in view, O
king, I wish to receive instructions from thee."'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The high-souled Bhishma, hearing these words of
Yudhishthira, reflected upon them acutely with the aid of his
understanding, and addressed Yudhishthira in reply.'

"'Bhishma said, "Hear what I say unto thee. It is exceedingly wonderful,
and constitutes a great mystery. The topic is the object that creatures
obtain after death as the rewards of particular acts or courses of
conduct they follow. One attains to Heaven by penances. By penances one
attains to fame. By p