therefore, O descendant of Bhrigu (18). With the advancement of years, one, who lives upon restricted diet, who has mastered his senses and who is respectful, acquires Yoga" (19). Having said this the reverend Sanatkumāra disappeared therefrom. Eighteen years appeared to me as one day (20). Having worshipped that lord of deities for eighteen years, by the grace of that divine person, I did not suffer any pain (21). O sinless one, I did not feel then hunger and thirst nor (the progress of) time. Afterwards I learnt about time from my disciple (22). ⁴⁰ _i. e._ They became mortal like other creatures who become subject to death in time. CHAPTER XX. ACCOUNT OF BRAHMADATTA AND THE STRANGE BIRD. Markandeya said:—After the disappearance of that deity and according to the words of that lord, I acquired discriminative knowledge along with celestial vision (1). Thereupon, O son of Gangā, I saw at Kurukshetra, all those Brāhmanas, the descendants of Koushika of whom that lord (Sanatkumār) spoke to me (2). Of them the seventh Brāhmana became the king Brahmadatta. By his name, character and action he also became celebrated by the name Pitridatta (3). In an excellent city by name Kāmpilya, the foremost of kings Anuha begat that monarch on Suka’s daughter Kritvi (4). Bhishma said:—O king, hear I shall describe the family of that king as recounted by the highly regenerate great Rishi Mārkandeya (5). Yudhisthira said:—Whose son was Anuha, the foremost of the pious? In what age was he born? How powerful was he? Whose son was the highly illustrious king Brahmadatta? How did the seventh Brāhmana become a king (6-7)? (Certainly) the self-controlled, omnipotent sage Suka, respected by all the world, did not give away his illustrious daughter Kritvi to an effeminate person (8). O thou of great effulgence, I wish to hear at length the account of Brahmadatta; it behoves thee to describe it (9). Do thou describe unto me how the Brāhmanas, mentioned by Mārkandeya, are living in the world (10). Bhishma said:—I have heard that this king (Brahmadatta) was contemporary of my grand-father the royal saint Pratipa (II). The noble ascetic Brahmadatta, the foremost of royal saints, was grateful unto all creatures and engaged in their well-being (12). He made (that division of the Vedas) which is called _Sikshā_⁴¹ by means of his Tapas and instituted an order of study. The highly illustrious teacher of Yoga, Gālava, was his friend and the ascetic Kandarik was his minister (13). In another birth they all help each other. As narrated by the noble and great ascetic Mārkandeya they, in the seventh birth, were all gifted with unlimited energy (14). Hear, O king, I shall describe to you the ancient family of the high-souled king Brahmadatta born in the race of Puru (16).