12.319
Bhishma said.
O Bhārata, having climbed to the mountain-top, the son of Vyāsa sat down in a level and solitary place, free from pegs. (12-319-1)
The great sage, skilled in the method of sequential practice, maintained himself according to the scriptures, beginning with the feet and proceeding through the limbs in order. (12-319-2)
Then, facing east, the learned man, when the sun had just risen, sat down with his hands and feet placed together, displaying humility. (12-319-3)
There was no assembly of birds, no sound, nor even any sight; it was there that the wise Vaiyāsaki began to speak. (12-319-4)
He saw that his self was free from all attachments. Then, seeing the Sun, Śuka smiled. (12-319-5)
He, once again taking up union for the attainment of the path to liberation, became the great lord of yogis and ascended into the sky. (12-319-6)
Then, after circumambulating the divine sage Nārada, he informed the supreme sage of his own practice. (12-319-7)
I have seen the path and have set forth; may well-being be to you, O possessor of austerity. By your favor, O greatly radiant one, I shall go to the desired path. (12-319-8)
Having received permission from Nārada, the son of Dvaipāyana, after offering his salutations, once again entered into yoga and ascended into the sky. (12-319-9)
Having arisen from the surface of Kailāsa, the splendid and resolute son of Vyāsa, moving in the sky, then fell to heaven. (12-319-10)
All beings saw him rising, the best of the twice-born, whose splendor equaled that of Garuḍa, and whose speed matched that of mind and wind. (12-319-11)
With determination, he contemplated all three worlds, and then, having entered the divine path, shone with a radiance equal to that of fire and the sun. (12-319-12)
All beings, both moving and others, saw him proceeding with a single-minded, unagitated, and fearless mind. (12-319-13)
Then, according to their ability and propriety, they performed worship; the gods honored him with showers of divine flowers. (12-319-14)
Seeing him, all the groups of Gandharvas and Apsarases, as well as the sages and perfected beings, were filled with the utmost astonishment. (12-319-15)
Who is this being that moves in the sky, who has attained perfection through austerity? With his body downward, face upward, and carried along by his eyes. (12-319-16)
Then, the supremely steadfast one, renowned in the three worlds, gazed intently at the sun, faced east, and proceeded in silence. His voice seemed to fill the entire sky everywhere. (12-319-17)
O king, when all the groups of apsarases suddenly saw him falling upon them, they became greatly astonished and agitated in mind; Pañcachūḍā and the others had their eyes wide open in amazement. (12-319-18)
Which deity, indeed, having attained this highest state, comes here with certainty, like one liberated and free from desire? (12-319-19)
Then he crossed over the mountain called Malaya. Urvaśī and Pūrvacitti, who always serve there, were filled with great wonder at the son of the Brahmarṣi. (12-319-20)
Indeed, when a twice-born is engaged in Vedic study with concentrated intellect, in a short time he rises in the world like the moon in the sky. By serving his father, he has attained the highest perfection. (12-319-21)
He, the son who was devoted to his father, firm in austerity, and very beloved by his father, with an undistracted mind—how was he deprived by his father? (12-319-22)
When Śuka, the knower of supreme dharma, heard Urvaśī's words, his mind absorbed in her speech, he looked all around. (12-319-23)
He then gazed upon the mid-space and the earth, with its mountains, forests, and groves, as well as the lakes and rivers. (12-319-24)
Then, with great respect, all the goddesses with folded hands gazed upon the son of Dvaipāyana; the deities indeed looked at him. (12-319-25)
Śuka, the knower of supreme dharma, then spoke these words to them: "If my father follows me, calling out 'Śuka', indeed." (12-319-26)
Therefore, all of you who are attentive should give a reply. Out of affection for me, all of you ought to speak these words. (12-319-27)
When they heard Śuka's words, the directions with their sacrificial forests, the oceans, rivers, and mountains all responded to him from every side. (12-319-28)
O brāhmaṇa, as you command, so it shall certainly be. We will respond to the statement spoken by the sage. (12-319-29)
