Bhagavad-Yana Parva — The story of Garuda

Suparna said This direction, in days of old, was given away by Vivasvat after the performance of a sacrifice according to the usual custom as a final present (Dakshina) to his spiritual guide; so this direction is called south (Dakshina).

In this direction do the Pitris of the three worlds live and it is said, O twice born one, that this is the residence of those gods that subsist on smoke.

In this part of the universe the gods along with the Pitris ever reside, who are worshipped in sacrifices in the world and get equal share with the Pitris.

This direction is said to be the second gate to virtue, O twice born one and here does the king of death, with a sure hand, calculate the life allotted to men, in Trutis and Lavas (periods of time).

Here do the divine Rishis and the Rishis of the world of the Pitris as also Rishis of royal descent all reside, always being beyond the reach of pain.

Here are virtue and truth, here the acts of men bear fruit and this is the refuge, O foremost among the twice born, of the acts of those that are dead.

This is that direction, O foremost among the twice born, where every body must go; and as all of them are surrounded by the darkness of ignorance they cannot come here with perfect happiness.

Here are many thousands of Rakshasas, O best among the twice born, who have been created to stand in the way of men coming to these regions and who can be perceived by those who have not brought their souls under control.

Here in the secluded spots of the Mandara mountains and in the residences of regenerate Rishis the Gandharvas chant songs stealing away the head and the heart, O twice born one.

The Daityas Raivata, having heard the hymns of the Samaveda chanted here, abandoned wife, friends and kingdoms and went into the forest.

Here by the son of Savarni and that of Yavakrita was fixed a limit, O Brahmana, which Surya does not pass beyond.

Here by the great-souled son of Pulastya Ravana, the king of Rakshasas who practiced austerities, was solicited immortality of the gods.

Here by his habits of life did Vritra (the Asura) incur the hostility of Shankra and here do the lives of all being come and again dissolve into their five elephants.

Here men, the doers of wicked acts, cannot go, O Galava and here is the river Vaitarani surrounded by people who cannot obtain salvation and cross it.

Here do men come and attain to a termination of their happiness and misery and coming here does the maker of day (the sun) pour water having a nice taste.

And having gone again to the cardinal point, pervaded by Vasishtha he lets fall dew; and here did I, in days of old being hungry and thinking about how to satisfy it.

See fighting with each other, a large elephant and a big tortoise. Here was born from the sun the great Rishi named Chakradhanu,

Who was afterwards known as the god Kapila by whom were afflicted the sons of Sagara; and here did the class of Brahmanas known as Shivas, well versed in the Vedas, meet with success.

And having studied all the Vedas, they obtained endless salvation; here is the city named Bhogavati ruled by Vasuki.

And by the Naga, Takshaka and also by Airavala; and here at the time of their journey men meet with a great gloom.

Which is impregnable even by Bhaskara (the sun himself) or by fire. Even this is your way, O Galava, worthy of attention, tell me if you want to go in this direction; listen now to the description of another direction, the west.