05.121
Nārada said:
Lifted to heaven by the virtuous kings who bestowed great gifts, Yayati, having given leave to his daughter's sons, ascended to heaven. (5-121-1)
Showered with rain fragrant with various flowers, and embraced by an auspicious wind carrying a sacred scent. (5-121-2)
Having ascended to the immovable place, which was surpassed by the fruit of his daughter's son, and surrounded by the merit of his own actions, he shone with supreme splendor. (5-121-3)
He was serenaded and danced before by hosts of Gandharvas and apsarases; he was joyfully welcomed in heaven with the sounds of drums. (5-121-4)
He was praised by various devas, royal sages, and celestial bards, honored with the highest offering by the gods, and welcomed. (5-121-5)
Having attained the fruit of heaven, the grandsire spoke to him—content, his mind at peace, gratified as if with words— (5-121-6)
The fourfold righteousness has been established by you through visible deeds; this world of yours is imperishable, and your fame too is imperishable in heaven. Now again, O royal sage, by your virtue and actions here... (5-121-7)
The minds of all the dwellers of heaven have been covered in darkness, so that they do not recognize you; therefore, not knowing you, you have been cast down. (5-121-8)
It is solely out of affection that you have been rescued by your grandsons and have come here; and you have attained a place won by your own actions, unshakable, eternal, blessed, supreme, firm, and imperishable. (5-121-9)
Yayāti said:
O lord, I have a certain doubt; you are able to resolve it. Indeed, I am not worthy to ask anyone else, O grandsire of the world. (5-121-10)
The great merit earned by me over thousands of years, increased by protecting the people and by floods of many sacrifices and gifts, (5-121-11)
How was all that lost in such a short time, by which I have been overthrown? O Lord, you know—the eternal worlds I had conquered. (5-121-12)
Bhīṣma said:
the reward which you obtained— increased by protecting your subjects for many thousands of years, and by a multitude of sacrifices and gifts— (5-121-13)
It was by this very fault—pride, O king—by which what you had was ruined, and you have been cast down, scorned by the dwellers in heaven. (5-121-14)
O royal sage, the world does not become enduring through pride, nor by force, nor by violence, nor by deceit or trickery. (5-121-15)
O King, you should not disrespect those who are inferior, superior, or in between, for truly, there is no one anywhere equal to a person who has been burned by insult. (5-121-16)
Those men who recount this ordeal by descent and ascent—should they encounter difficulties, they will surely overcome them; there is no doubt. (5-121-17)
Nārada said:
This fault, O king, was formerly incurred by Yayāti through pride, and by Gālava due to excessive insistence. (5-121-18)
Advice should be listened to by those who wish for the welfare and prosperity of their friends. One should not be stubborn, for such obstinacy results in both loss and gain. (5-121-19)
Therefore, O Gāndhārī, you too should set aside pride and anger; make peace with the Pāṇḍavas, hero, and give up rage, O king. (5-121-20)
Whatever a king gives, does, undertakes as austerity, or offers in sacrifice—of that there is no loss nor is it ever diminished; no other enjoys it—he alone is the doer. (5-121-21)
This unsurpassed great narrative, understood by those who have heard much and are free from anger and passion—having been examined in many ways and spread throughout the world, and seen with regard to the three aims of life—attains the earth. (5-121-22)