SECTION LXIII

“‘“Narada said, ‘Yayati, the son of Nahusha, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell a

prey to death. Having performed a hundred Rajasuyas, a hundred

Horse-sacrifices, a thousand Pundarikas, a hundred Vajapeyas, a thousand

Atiratras, innumerable Chaturmasyas, diverse Agnishtomas, and many other

kinds of sacrifices, in all of which he made profuse gifts unto the

Brahmanas, he gave away unto the Brahmanas, having counted it first, the

whole of the wealth that existed on the earth in the possession of

Mlecchas and other Brahmana-hating people. When the gods and the Asuras

were arrayed for battle, king Yayati aided the gods. Having divided the

earth into four parts, he gave it away unto four persons. Having

performed various sacrifices and virtuously begotten excellent offspring

upon (his wives) Devayani, the daughter of Usanas and Sarmishtha, king

Yayati, who was like unto a celestial, roved through the celestial woods

at his own pleasure, like a second Vasava. Acquainted with all the Vedas,

when, however, he found that he was not satiated with the indulgence of

his passions, he then, with his wives, retired into the forest, saying

this: “Whatever of paddy and wheat and gold and animals and women there

are on earth, even the whole of these is not sufficient for one man.

Thinking of this, one should cultivate contentment.” Thus abandoning all

his desires, and attaining to contentment, the lord Yayati, installing

(his son) on his throne, retired into the forest. When he died, O

Srinjaya, who was superior to thee in respect of the four cardinal

virtues and who, superior to thee, was much superior to thy son, thou

shouldst not, saying, “Oh, Swaitya, Oh, Swaitya”, grieve for the latter

who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial present.’”’”

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 Books 4, 5, 6 and 7 · 第 61 / 200 章