nd other precious gems, that is surrounded by
beautiful objects of diverse kinds, that is decked with gems and corals,
that moves at the will of the rider, and that teems with waiting Apsaras,
he roves through all the regions of felicity, like a second deity of the
Sun.

"'At the eight Parana, he acquires the fruits of the Rajasuya sacrifice.
He ascends a car as beautiful as the rising moon, and unto which are
yoked steeds white as the rays of the moon and endued with the speed of
thought. He is served by women of the foremost beauty and whose faces are
more charming than the moon. He hears the music of the garlands that
encircle their waists and the Nupuras encircling their ankles. Sleeping
with his head resting on the laps of women of transcendent beauty, he
awakes greatly refreshed.

"'At the ninth Parana, he acquires, O Bharata, the fruits of that foremost
of sacrifices, viz., the Horse-sacrifice. Ascending on a car equipt with
a chamber consisting of a top supported by columns of gold, furnished
with a seat made of stones of lapis lazuli, with windows on all sides
made of pure gold, and teeming with waiting Apsaras and Gandharvas and
other celestials, he blazes forth in splendour. Wearing celestial
garlands and robes, and decked with celestial unguents, he sports in
bliss, with deities for his companions, in Heaven, like a second deity
himself.

"'Reaching the tenth Parana and gratifying Brahmanas, he acquires a car
which tinkles with innumerable bells, which is decked with flags and
banners, which is equipt with a seat made of precious gems, which has
many arches made of lapis lazuli, which has a net-work of gold all round,
which has turrets made of corals, which is adorned with Gandharvas and
Apsaras well-skilled in singing, and which is fit for the residence of
the Righteous. Crowned with a diadem of the complexion of fire, decked
with ornaments of gold, his person smeared with celestial sandal paste,
garnished with celestial wreaths, he roves through all celestial regions,
enjoying all celestial objects of enjoyment, and endued with great
splendour, through the grace of the deities.

"'Thus accoutred, he receives high honours in Heaven for many long years.
With Gandharvas in his company, for full 21,000 years, he sports in bliss
with Indra himself in abode of Indra. He roves at pleasure every day
through the diverse regions of the gods, riding on celestial cars and
conveyances, and surrounded by celestial d