Sacred Concord

Mbh 13.107.2i

Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

That man who having fasted for twenty days takes a single meal on the twenty-first day and bears himself in this way for a full year, pouring libations every day on his sacred fire, attains to the regions of Usanas and Sakra, of the Aswins and the Maruts, and resides there in uninterrupted happiness of great measure. Unacquainted with sorrow of every kind, he rides in the foremost of cars for making his journeys, and waited upon by the foremost of celestials, damsels, and possessed of puissance, he sports in joy like a celestial himself. That man who having fasted for one and twenty days takes a single meal on the twenty-second day and bears himself in this way for a full year, pouring libations on his sacred fire every day, abstaining from injuring any creature, adhering to truthfulness of speech, and freed from malice attains to the regions of the Vasus and becomes endued with effulgence of the sun. Possessed of the power of going everywhere at will, subsisting upon nectar, and riding in the foremost of cars, his person decked with celestial ornaments, he sports in joy in the company of celestial damsels. That man who having fasted for two and twenty days takes a single meal on the twenty-third day and bears himself in this way for a full year, thus regulating his diet and keeping his senses under control, attains to the regions of the deity of Wind, of Usanas, and of Rudra. Capable of going everywhere at will and always roving at will, he is worshipped by diverse tribes of Apsaras. Riding in the foremost of cars and his person decked with celestial ornaments, he sports for countless years in great felicity in the company of celestial damsels.
Mbh 13.107.2i · Mahabharata · ANUSASANA PARVA

Themes in this passage

JoyNatureGriefSpeechStrengthTruthWorship

Joy in other traditions

The same theme, as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hellenism address it.

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Luke 1:14 · Bible · Luke
Those who believe and do right: Joy is for them, and bliss (their) journey's end.
Quran 13:29 · Quran
Forests are delightful; where the world finds no delight, there the passionless will find delight, for they look not for pleasures.
Dhp 7.99 · Dhammapada · The Venerable (Arhat)
He said, and placed the goblet at his side; With joy the venerable king replied:
Iliad 23.46 · Iliad · 23

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