The gods with Indra at
their head once approached the monarch during this period, believing that
he sought the headship of the gods, by those severe austerities of his.
The celestials, becoming objects of his sight, by soft speeches succeeded
in winning him away from his ascetic austerities.'
"The gods said, 'O lord of the earth, thou shouldst take care so that
virtue may not sustain a diminution on earth! Protected by thee, virtue
itself will in return protect the universe.' And Indra said, 'O king,
protect virtue on earth attentively and rigidly. Being virtuous, thou
shalt, for all time, behold (in after life) many sacred regions. And
though I am of Heaven, and thou art of earth, yet art thou my friend and
dear to me. And, O king of men, dwell thou in that region on earth which
is delightful, and aboundeth in animals, is sacred, full of wealth and
corn, is well-protected like heaven, which is of agreeable climate, graced
with every object of enjoyment, and blessed with fertility. And, O monarch
of Chedi, this thy dominion is full of riches, of gems and precious stones,
and containeth, besides, much mineral wealth. The cities and towns of this
region are all devoted to virtue; the people are honest and contented;
they never lie even in jest. Sons never divide their wealth with their
fathers and are ever mindful of the welfare of their parents. Lean cattle
are never yoked to the plough or the cart or engaged in carrying
merchandise; on the other hand, they are well-fed and fattened.
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