worlds that payeth homage unto his father, and mother, and preceptor,
and Agni, and fifthly, the soul.' Yudhishthira said, 'O worshipful one,
those duties have been mentioned by thee as excellent. To the best of my
power I duly and properly discharge them.'

"Arshtishena said, 'During the Parvas sages subsisting on air and water
come unto this best of the mountains ranging through the air. And on the
summits of the mountain are seen amorous Kimpurushas with their
paramours, mutually attached unto each other; as also, O Partha, many
Gandharvas and Apsaras clad in white silk vestments; and lovely-looking
Vidyadharas, wearing garlands; and mighty Nagas, and Suparnas, and
Uragas, and others. And on the summits of the mountain are heard, during
the Parvas, sounds of kettle-drums, and tabors, shells and mridangas. O
foremost of the Bharatas, even by staying here, ye shall hear those
sounds; do ye by no means feel inclined to repair thither. Further, O
best of the Bharata race, it is impossible, to proceed beyond this. That
place is the sporting-region of the celestials. There is no access
thither for mortals. O Bharata, at this place all creatures bear
ill-will to, and the Rakshasas chastise, that man who committeth
aggression, be it ever so little. Beyond the summit of this Kailasa
cliff, is seen the path of the celestial sages. If any one through
impudence goeth beyond this, the Rakshasas slay him with iron darts and
other weapons. There, O child, during the Parvas, he that goeth about on
the shoulders of men, even Vaisravana is seen in pomp and grandeur
surrounded by the Apsaras. And when that lord of all the Rakshasas is
seated on the summit, all creatures behold him like unto the sun arisen.
O best of Bharatas, that summit is the sporting-garden of the
celestials, and the Danavas, and the Siddhas, and Vaisravana. And during
the Parvas, as Tumburu entertaineth the Lord of treasures, the sweet
notes of his song are heard all over the Gandhamadana. O child, O