Chapter 216
Vaisampayana continued, “The virtuous king Yudhishthira, having listenedto this excellent religious discourse, again addressed himself to therishi Markandeya saying,
Vaisampayana continued, “The virtuous king Yudhishthira, having listenedto this excellent religious discourse, again addressed himself to therishi Markandeya saying,
“Yudhishthira said, ‘All men speak of ourselves as highly fortunate. Intruth, however, there is no person more wretched than ourselves.
“Ashtaka asked, ‘Who amongst these, O king, both exerting constantly likethe Sun and the Moon, first attaineth to communion with Brahma, theascetic or the man of knowledge?’
Vaisampayana said, “When Vyasa of wonderful achievements had concludedhis speech to the king, the highly-puissant son of Vasudeva (Krishna)also addressed him.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Having despatched the priest to the city calledafter the elephant they sent messengers to the kings of variouscountries.
“The fowler continued, ‘Thus cursed by that rishi, I sought to propitiatehim with these words: ‘Pardon me, O muni, I have done this wicked deedunwittingly.
“Usanas said, ‘I bow to that divine and illustrious and puissant Beingwho holds this earth with the firmament in his arms. I shall speak tothee of the pre-eminent greatness of that Vishnu whose head, O best ofthe Danavas, is that Infinite place (called Emancipation).’
“Vasumat said, ‘I am Vasumat, the son of Oshadaswa. I would ask thee, Oking, whether there are any worlds for me to enjoy as fruits of myreligious merits, in heaven or the firmament. Thou art, O high-souledone, acquainted with all holy regions.’
“Vasudeva said, “There are two kinds of ailments, physical and mental.They are produced by the mutual action of the body and mind on eachother, and they never arise without the interaction of the two.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘O king, having learnt the news from the messengers,Salya, accompanied by a large body of troops and by his sons, all of whomwere mighty in battle, was coming to the Pandavas.