05.118

Nārada said:

But the king, once again desiring to arrange her self-choice ceremony, went to the hermitage at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna. (5-118-1)

Pūru and Yadu, having placed Mādhavī—whose hair was adorned with a garland—in the chariot, went around the hermitage with their sister. (5-118-2)

There, serpents, yakṣas, humans, birds, beasts, winged creatures, mountain and tree dwellers, and forest dwellers all gathered together. (5-118-3)

The forest was filled with lords from various regions and was surrounded on all sides by sages of Brahma-like austerity. (5-118-4)

But as the choices were being offered, the radiant maiden passed over all those suitors and chose the forest as her wish. (5-118-5)

The maiden, having alighted from the chariot, after bowing to her kinsfolk, approached the sacred forest and practised austerities—the daughter of Yayāti. (5-118-6)

Through various fasts, vows of consecration, and observances—making her body light—she became a wanderer like a deer. (5-118-7)

Grazing on the chief kinds of grass, tender and green, like the shoots of vaidurya gems—bitter ones and sweet ones alike. (5-118-8)

drinking the cool, clear, sweet, and pure waters of the excellent streams (5-118-9)

In forests among great beasts, in places abandoned by lions, in areas spared from forest fires, in deserted and dense woods... (5-118-10)

Roaming the forest together with the deer like a doe herself, she observed great righteous conduct, fully embracing celibacy. (5-118-11)

Yayāti too, having followed the conduct of the kings of old, lived for many thousands of years in accordance with the law of time. (5-118-12)

Puru and Yadu, the two illustrious and flourishing dynasties—by these, Nahusha's descendant was established in this world and the next. (5-118-13)

King Yayāti, having attained heaven, is honored—the mighty king who was equal to a great sage and enjoyed the highest rewards of heaven. (5-118-14)

When many thousands of years, rich in merits, had passed, and the royal sages had settled among the greatly revered great sages, (5-118-15)

Yayati, his understanding deluded and his mind overwhelmed by wonder, looked down upon all people, the gods, and even the groups of sages. (5-118-16)

Then Indra, the destroyer of strength, became aware of him; and all those royal sages exclaimed, 'Shame! Shame!' (5-118-17)

And curiosity arose upon seeing the son of Nahusha: Who is this? Of which king? And how has he come to heaven? (5-118-18)

By what deed did he accomplish this, or what austerity did he practice here? How is he known in heaven, or by what means is he even known? (5-118-19)

While thinking in this way, the kings who resided in heaven, having seen (him), asked each other about King Yayati. (5-118-20)

The charioteers of aerial cars—hundreds of them—along with the guardians of the gates of heaven and the seat attendants, when questioned, answered, "We do not know." (5-118-21)

All of them, their understanding clouded, did not recognize the king. Then, after a moment, the king became bereft of his strength at that time. (5-118-22)