Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 09.djvu/238

The Presences of Paradise uprose,
Each Splendor in his place, god Sákra chief;
Together rose they, and together stepped
Down from their thrones, treading the nether road
Where Yudhishthira tarried. Sákra led
The shining van, and Dharma, Lord of laws,
Paced glorious next. O son of Bharata,
While that celestial company came down—
Pure as the white stars sweeping through the sky,
And brighter than their brilliance—look! hell's shades
Melted before them; warm gleams drowned the gloom;
Soft, lovely scenes rolled over the ill sights;
Peace calmed the cries of torment; in its bed
The boiling river shrank, quiet and clear;
The Asipatra Vana—awful wood—
Blossomed with colors; all those cruel blades,
And dreadful rocks, and piteous scattered wreck
Of writhing bodies, where the king had passed,
Vanished as dreams fade. Cool and fragrant went
A wind before their faces, as these Gods
Drew radiant to the presence of the king
Maruts; and Vasus eight, who shine and serve
Round Indra; Rudras: Aswins; and those Six
Immortal Lords of light beyond our light,
Th' Adityas; Sadhyas; Siddhas—those were there,
With angels, saints, and habitants of heaven,
Smiling resplendent round the steadfast prince.

"Then spake the God of gods these gracious words
To Yudhishthira, standing in that place:

" 'King Yudhishthira! O thou long-armed lord,
This is enough! All heaven is glad of thee.
It is enough! Come, thou most blessed one,
Unto thy peace, well-gained. Lay now aside
Thy loving wrath, and hear the speech of Heaven.
It is appointed that all kings see hell.