Bhagavad-Yana Parva — The search of the region

Suparna said I have been instructed by the god who is the source of all knowledge (to take you where you wish to be taken); tell me-which direction shall I first go, to show you.

The east or the south or the western point or the northern, O you foremost among the twice-born, where shall I go, OGalava.

Where the sun which lights all the worlds first rises and where in the evening the Saddhya practice asceticism, where was first born the intelligence, by which is pervaded this earth and where the two eyes of Dharma are set in order to guide the universe, in which point offers of clarified butter were first made which afterwards flowed in all directions; this, 0 foremost among the twice-born is the gate of day and time.

Here in days of old the female children of Daksha brought forth their children-the direction in which those born of Kashyapa grew up.

Here is the source of the prosperity of the gods, where Shakra was appointed in the kingship of the immortals, where even the gods, O regenerate Rishi, practiced asceticism.

For this, O Brahmana, this direction is called east (Poorvi) for in the days of yore it was over-spread by the gods. Therefore it is said to be in the possession of the oldest inhabitants; in the east, were done all the acts by the gods who were desirous of obtaining happiness.

Here were the Vedas chanted first by the prosperous Being, the Creator of the universe; in this direction out of the mouth of the sun is said to be born the goddess Savitri among the chanters of the Vedas.

Here were given Surya the hymn of the Yajurveda, O best among the twice-born and here was drunk the Soma juice, previously sacrificial ceremonies.

Here were sacrificial fires gratified by offerings of objects of the same origin and class (milk and clarified butter) and here did Varuna attain to his prosperity resorting to the region of the Patala.

Here, in days of old, O best among the twice born, took place the birth, attainment to fame and death of the ancient Rishi Vasishtha.

Here was first created the On (the magical beginning of every Mantra) in all its ten times ten branches; and here did the smoke-eating ascetics eat the smoke issuing from sacrificial fire.

Here were massacred many boars and Other animals by Shakra to be used as offerings for sacrificial ceremonies dedicated to the gods.

Here does the sun rise and slay in his rage all ungrateful men and Asuras.

This is the gate of the three worlds and of heaven and happiness; this direction is the eastern quarter and we shall enter it if you like.

My duty is to do what you wish, for I am ready to carry out your orders; speaks, O Galava and I shall go; listen to me about another cardinal point.