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Yudhishthira said.
What answer did those two give when he spoke thus? Was it the Brāhmaṇa or the king? Tell me that, O grandsire.
Or, did those two go there as you have recounted? What was the conversation between them, or what did those two do there?
Bhīṣma said.
Thus, having promised in this way and having worshipped dharma, O lord, and having worshipped Yama, Time, Death, heaven, and the worthy ones.
In earlier times, those and other eminent Brāhmaṇas who had gathered there, after respectfully greeting everyone with bowed head, addressed the king with these words.
O royal sage, united with this fruit, go to the state of merit. And, having been permitted by you, I may indeed recite again.
O lord of men, the goddess had previously granted me a boon, O mighty one: "Faith will always be yours as you recite."
The king said.
If this is so, and the attainment is fruitless, and you have faith to recite, then go, O brāhmaṇa, together with me and obtain the fruit of the reciter.
The brāhmaṇa said.
A very great effort has been made here in the presence of all; let us both, who have equal results, go together to where our destination lies.
Bhīṣma said.
Having known the determination of those two there, the lord of the gods, together with the gods and the guardians of the worlds, likewise approached.
The Sādhyas, all the gods, the Maruts, the great luminaries, rivers, mountains, oceans, and the various sacred fords.
Austerities, the method of union, the Vedas, chants, Sarasvati, Narada, Parvata, as well as Vishvavasu, Haha, and Huhu.
Gandharva Citraseṇa, along with his retinue, the serpents, perfected beings, sages, the god of gods, the lord of creatures, and Viṣṇu, the thousand-headed and inconceivable god, all assembled together.
Drums and musical instruments resounded in the sky. Divine showers of flowers fell there for those great souls. Groups of apsarases danced everywhere all around.
Then heaven, taking a form, addressed the Brāhmaṇa: "You are perfected, O greatly fortunate one; you are also accomplished thus, O king."
Then, O king, those two together, in accordance with the procedure, both performed the withdrawal of the senses with each other.
They placed the five vital airs—prāṇa, apāna, udāna, samāna, and vyāna—in the mind, and thus held the mind between the two breaths.
They both, having fixed their attention below the tip of the nose, at the space between the eyebrows, and in the kuṅkuṇī, slowly held it with their minds.
With unmoving bodies and steady gaze, concentrated, having mastered posture, thus having placed the self indeed on the head.
Then, having arisen from the palate of the great-souled Brāhmaṇa, a very great flame of light ascended to heaven.
Then, a very great wailing arose in all directions. That light, being praised, then entered Brahman.
Then, that radiant grandfather said "Welcome" and went forth to meet the man of a span's height, O lord of the people.
He again spoke another sweet statement: "For yogas, the fruit is equal to that of reciters; there is no doubt about this here."
The fruit of yoga, to this extent, is direct perception from these. But for the chanters, the special attainment is an elevation that surpasses even this.
Saying, "Let it remain in me," he revived him again. Then the Brāhmaṇa, now free from fever, entered his mouth.
The king, following this procedure, approached the venerable grandfather; just as the foremost of the twice-born had done, so too did he enter at that time.
Then the gods, having saluted Svayambhu, spoke: "We have come here for the purpose of recitation; this effort is for that purpose."
Having performed worship, these two are considered equal by you; both are of equal fruit. The result seen from yoga and recitation is very great indeed today. Having surpassed all worlds, these two may go wherever they desire.
Brahmā said.
Whoever recites the great Smṛti and likewise the auspicious Anusmṛti in this manner, both of them will attain my world.
Whoever is a devotee in yoga, there is no doubt that he too, by this method, at the end of his life, may attain my worlds. Let him go; I shall arrange the appropriate places for attainment.
Bhīṣma said.
Having thus spoken, the god disappeared right there. After addressing him, the gods then went each to their own abodes.
And all those great-souled ones, having duly honored dharma there, followed from behind, O king, all with hearts full of joy.
This is the fruit and destination of the chanters as has been proclaimed. O great king, what more do you wish to hear?
