e Earth and having once more acquired
sufficient merit returns to heavens.[1784] The moon is always seen to
wane and once more wax. Seeing this waning and waxing that go on
repeatedly, I do not wish to have a form of existence in which there are
such changes. The Sun warms all the worlds by means of his fierce rays.
His disc never undergoes any diminution. Remaining unchanged, he drinks
energy from all things. Hence, I desire to go into the Sun of blazing
effulgence.[1785] There I shall live, invincible by all, and in my inner
soul freed from all fear, having cast off this body of mine in the solar
region. With the great Rishis I shall enter the unbearable energy of the
Sun. I declare unto all creatures, unto these trees, these elephants,
these mountains, the Earth herself, the several points of the compass,
the welkin, the deities, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Pisachas, the
Uragas, and the Rakshasas, that I shall, verily, enter all creatures in
the world.[1786] Let all the gods with the Rishis behold the prowess of
my Yoga today!'--Having said these words, Suka, informed Narada of world
wide celebrity of his intention. Obtaining Narada's permission, Suka then
proceeded to where his sire was. Arrived at his presence, the great Muni,
viz., the high-souled and Island-born Krishna, Suka walked round him and
addressed him the usual enquiries. Hearing of Suka's intention, the
highsouled Rishi became highly pleased. Addressing him, the great Rishi
said,--'O son, O dear son, do thou stay here to-day so that I may behold
thee for some time for gratifying my eyes.'--Suka, however, was
indifferent to that request. Freed from affection and all doubt, he began
to think only of Emancipation, and set his heart on the journey. Leaving
his sire, that foremost of Rishis then proceeded to the spacious breast
of Kailasa which was inhabited by crowds of ascetics crowned with
success."'"

SECTION CCCXXXIII

"'Bhishma said, "Having ascended the summit of the mountain, O Bharata, the
son of Vyasa sat down upon a level spot free from blades of grass and
retired from the haunts of other creatures. Agreeably to the direction of
the scriptures and to the ordinances laid down, that ascetic, conversant
with the gradual order of the successive processes of Yoga, held his soul
first in one place and then in another, commencing from his feet and
proceeding through all the limbs. Then when the Sun had not risen long,
Suka sat, with his face tu