15.027
The question of Śatayūpa;
Vaiśampāyana said.
But the foremost brāhmaṇas praised that statement of Nārada, and Śatayūpa, the royal sage, addressed Nārada with these words. (15-27-1)
Indeed, O greatly radiant one, the venerable one has increased the faith of the king of the Kurus, of all the people here and of me as well. (15-27-2)
O divine sage honored by the world, I have a certain intention to speak to King Dhritarashtra—please listen to what I say. (15-27-3)
O divine sage, you know the essence of all events; endowed with the divine eye, you indeed see the various paths of men. (15-27-4)
You have spoken of the same world as Mahendra for the kings, but you have not told me of the worlds of this king, O great sage. (15-27-5)
O Lord, I desire to hear from you the place of this king — what it is, what kind, and when; therefore, tell me this as I ask. (15-27-6)
Thus addressed by him, Nārada, the great ascetic with divine vision, spoke words in complete accord with everyone's mind in the midst of the virtuous. (15-27-7)
O royal sage, by chance, I went to the abode of Śakra (Indra, the husband of Śacī), and there I saw Pāṇḍu, the lord of men. (15-27-8)
There, O king, this story of Dhritarashtra occurred: how the king is practicing this difficult austerity. (15-27-9)
O king, there I heard this from Śakra as he was speaking: three years remain of the full life-span of this king. (15-27-10)
Then, accompanied by Gāndhārī, this king Dhṛtarāṣṭra, honored by the lords of kings, enjoyed himself in Kubera's palace. (15-27-11)
The greatly fortunate son of the sage, whose sins were consumed by austerities, was adorned with divine ornaments and rode in a wish-fulfilling aerial chariot. (15-27-12)
The righteous one whom you ask about will move freely through the worlds of gods, gandharvas, and rākṣasas. (15-27-13)
This great divine secret has been affectionately told by me to you; for you are indeed rich in learning and your sins have been burnt up by austerity. (15-27-14)
Thus, after they heard that sweet speech of the divine sage, all those of good mind became pleased, and so did the king. (15-27-15)
In this way, after consoling Dhṛtarāṣṭra with stories, those wise ones attained liberation and went their ways as they desired. (15-27-16)
