A Prose English Translation of the Mahabharata (Translated Literally from the Original Sanskrit Text) - Ashwamedha Parva

Thus addressed by the king of the Vrihaspati thinking for a moment replied to the king of the celestials. [...] Having signified his consent to the proposal of Narada that royal sage after duly adoring him and with his permission went to the city of Varanasi and having reached there that famous prince did as he had been asked and remembering the words of Narada he placed a dead body at the gate of the city. [...] o king Shakra is perfectly happy he is pleased with you and wishes to make you free from decrepitude and all the other gods are loyal to him do you 0 king listen to the message of the King of the Celestials. [...] If this Vrihaspati officiate as your priest then you will by the blessings of the King of the Celestials attain the highest place in the celestial mansion and acquiring fame you will forsooth conquer the heavenly region. [...] Von 0 Shakra have encompassed the dominion of the heaven and the earth and the sky by the strength of your own arms but evert thus how could Vritra of old) wrest from you the sovereignty of the celestial regions ? Indra said :- 29.