is of wide extent. It was built by Viswakarma after a long course of
ascetic penances. And, O Bharata, resplendent with his own effulgence, it
stands glorified in all its beauty. Sannyasis of severe ascetic penance,
of excellent vows, and of truthful speech, peaceful and pure and
sanctified by holy deeds, of shining bodies and attired in spotless robes,
decked with bracelets and floral garlands, with ear-rings of burnished
gold, and adorned with their own holy acts as with the marks of their
order (painted over their bodies), constantly visit that Sabha (Assembly).
Many illustrious Gandharvas, and many Apsaras fill every part of that
mansion with music; both instrumental and vocal and with sounds of
laughter and dance. And, O son of Pritha, excellent perfumes, and sweet
sounds and garlands of celestial flowers always contribute towards making
that mansion supremely blest. And hundreds of thousands of virtuous
persons, of celestial beauty and great wisdom, always wait upon and
worship the illustrious Yama, the lord of created beings in that assembly
house. Such, O monarch, is the Sabha, of the illustrious king of the
Pitris! I shall now describe unto the assembly house of Varuna also called
Pushkaramalini!'


SECTION IX

"Narada said--'O Yudhishthira, the celestial Sabha of Varuna is
unparalleled in splendour. In dimensions it is similar to that of Yama.
Its walls and arches are all of pure white. It hath been built by
Viswakarma (the celestial architect) within the waters. It is surrounded
on all sides by many celestial trees made of gems and jewels and yielding
excellent fruits and flowers. And many plants with their weight of
blossoms, blue and yellow, and black and darkish, and white and red, that
stand there, or excellent bowers around. Within those bowers hundreds and