rned Eastwards, and hands and feet drawn in, in
an humble attitude. In that spot where the intelligent son of Vyasa sat
prepared to address himself to Yoga, there were no flocks of birds, no
sound, and no sight that was repulsive or terror-inspiring. He then
beheld his own Soul freed from all attachments. Beholding that highest of
all things, he laughed in joy.[1787] He once more set himself prepared
to Yoga for attaining to the path of Emancipation. Becoming the great
master of Yoga, he transcended the element of space. He then
circumambulated the celestial Rishi Narada, and represented unto that
foremost of Rishis the fact of his having addressed himself to the
highest Yoga.

"'"Suka said,--'I have succeeded in beholding the path (of Emancipation), I
have addrest myself to it. Blessed be thou, O thou of wealth of penances!
I shall, through thy grace, O thou of great splendour, attain to an end
that is highly desirable!'"

"'Bhishma said,--"Having received the permission of Narada, Suka the son
of the Island-born Vyasa saluted the celestial Rishi and once more set
himself to Yoga and entered the element of space. Ascending then from the
breast of the Kailasa mountain, he soared into the sky. Capable of
traversing through the welkin, the blessed Suka of fixed conclusion, then
identified himself with the element of Wind. As that foremost of
regenerate ones, possessed of effulgence like that of Garuda, was
traversing through the skies with the speed of the wind or thought, all
creatures, cast their eyes upon him. Endued with the splendour of fire or
the Sun, Suka then regarded the three worlds in their entirety as one
homogeneous Brahma, and proceeded along that path of great length. Indeed,
all creatures mobile and immobile, cast their eyes upon him as he
proceeded with concentrated attention, and a tranquil and fearless soul.
All creatures, agreeably to the ordinance and according to their power,
worshipped him with reverence. The denizens of heaven rained showers of
celestial flowers upon him. Beholding him, all the tribes of Apsaras and
Gandharvas became filled with wonder. The Rishis also, that were crowned
with success, became equally amazed. And they asked themselves,--'who is
this one that has attained to success by his penances?--With gaze
withdrawn from his own body but turned upwards he is filling us all with
pleasure by his glances!'--Of highly righteous soul and celebrated
throughout the three worlds, Suka p