23. They shone in their circle with the lustre of their persons, as the resplendent orbs of the sky burn and turn about in their spheres.
24. In process of time these youths lost both their parents, who shuffled off their mortal coil to go to their last abode. (i.e. To be amalgamated with the person of Brahmá, with which they were acquainted by their proficiency in yoga divinity).
25. Being thus bereft of both their parents, the ten Bráhman lads left their home in grief, and repaired to the top of the Kailása mountain, to pass there their helpless lives in mourning.
26. Here they conversed together about their best welfare, and the right course that they should take to avoid the troubles and miseries of life.
27. They parleyed with one another on the topics, of what was the best good (Summum bonum) of humanity in this world of mortality, and many other subjects (which form the common places in ethics), such as:—
28. What is true greatness, best riches and affluence, and the highest good of humankind? What is the good of great power, possessions, chiefship and even the gain of a kingdom? What forms the true dignity of kings, and the high majesty of emperors?
29. What avails the autocracy of the great Indra, which is lost in one moment (a moment’s time of Brahmá). What is that thing which endures a whole kalpa, and must be the best good as the most lasting?
30. As they were talking in this manner, they were interrupted by the eldest brother, with a voice as grave, as that of the leader of a herd of deer to the attentive flock.
31. Of all kinds of riches and dignities, there is one thing that endureth for a whole kalpa, and is never destroyed; and this is the state of Brahmá, which I prize above all others.
32. Hearing this, the good sons of Indu exclaimed all in one voice saying:—Ah! well said; and then they honoured him with their mild speeches.