Chapter 333
“Bhishma said, Having ascended the summit of the mountain, O Bharata, theson of Vyasa sat down upon a level spot free from blades of grass andretired from the haunts of other creatures. Agreeably to the direction ofthe scriptures and to the ordinances laid down, that ascetic, conversantwith the gradual order of the successive processes of Yoga, held his soulfirst in one place and then in another, commencing from his feet andproceeding through all the limbs. Then when the Sun had not risen long,Suka sat, with his face turned Eastwards, and hands and feet drawn in, inan humble attitude. In that spot where the intelligent son of Vyasa satprepared to address himself to Yoga, there were no flocks of birds, nosound, and no sight that was repulsive or terror-inspiring. He thenbeheld his own Soul freed from all attachments. Beholding that highest ofall things, he laughed in joy.[1787] He once more set himself pre-paredto Yoga for attaining to the path of Emancipation. Becoming the greatmaster of Yoga, he transcended the element of space. He thencircumambulated the celestial Rishi Narada, and represented unto thatforemost of Rishis the fact of his having addressed himself to thehighest Yoga.
“Suka said,–I have succeeded in beholding the path (of Emancipation), Ihave addrest myself to it. Blessed be thou, O thou of wealth of penances!I shall, through thy grace, O thou of great splendour, attain to an endthat is highly desirable!”
“Bhishma said,–‘Having received the permission of Narada, Suka the sonof the Island-born Vyasa saluted the celestial Rishi and once more sethimself to Yoga and entered the element of space. Ascending then from thebreast of the Kailasa mountain, he soared into the sky. Capable oftraversing through the welkin, the blessed Suka of fixed conclusion, thenidentified himself with the element of Wind. As that foremost ofregenerate ones, possessed of effulgence like that of Garuda, wastraversing through the skies with the speed of the wind or thought, allcreatures, cast their eyes upon him. Endued with the splendour of fire orthe Sun, Suka then regarded the three worlds in their entirety as onehomogenous Brahma, and proceeded along that path of great length. Indeed,all creatures mobile and immobile, cast their eyes upon him as heproceeded with concentrated attention, and a tranquil and fearless soul.All creatures, agreeably to the ordinance and according to their power,worshipped him with reverence. The denizens of heaven rained showers ofcelestial flowers upon him. Beholding him, all the tribes of Apsaras andGandharvas became filled with wonder. The Rishis also, that were crownedwith success, became equally amazed. And they asked themselves,–who isthis one that has attained to success by his penances?–With gazewith-drawn from his own body but turned upwards he is filling us all withpleasure by his glances!–Of highly righteous soul and celebratedthrough-out the three worlds, Suka proceeded in silence, his face turnedtowards the East and gaze directed towards the sun. As he proceeded, heseemed to fill the entire welkin with an all-pervading noise. Beholdinghim coming in that way, all the tribes of the Apsaras, struck with awe, Oking, became filled with amazement. Headed by Panchachuda and others,they looked at Suka with eyes expanded by wonder. And they asked oneanother, saying;–What deity is this one that has attained to such a highend? Without doubt, he comes hither, freed from all attachments andemancipated from all desires!–Suka then proceeded to the Malayamountains where Urvasi and Purvachitti used to dwell always. Both of thembeholding the energy of the son of the great regenerate Rishi, becamefilled with wonder. And they said,–Wonderful is this concentration ofattention (to Yoga) of a regenerate youth who was accustomed to therecitation and study of the Vedas! Soon will he traverse the entirewelkin like the Moon. It was by dutiful service and humble ministrationstowards his sire that he acquired this excellent understanding. He isfirmly attached to his sire, possessed of austere penances, and is verymuch loved by his sire. Alas, why has he been dismissed by hisinattentive father to proceed (thus) along a way whence there is noreturn?–Hearing these words of Urvasi, and attending to their import,Suka, that foremost of all persons conversant with duties, cast his eyeson all sides, and once more beheld the entire welkin, the whole Earthwith her mountains and waters and forests, and also all the lakes andrivers. All the deities also of both sexes, joining their hands, paidreverence to the son of the Island-born Rishi and gazed at him withwonder and respect. That foremost of all righteous men, Suka, addressingall of them, said these words,–If my sire follow me and repeatedly callafter me by my name, do all of you together return him an answer for me.Moved by the affection all of you bear for me, do you accomplish thisrequest of mine!–Hearing these words of Suka, all the points of thecompass, all the forest, all the seas, all the rivers, and all themountains, answered him from every side, saying,–We accept thy command,O regenerate one! It shall be as thou sayst! It is in this way that weanswer the words spoken by the Rishi!
