270 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XVIII, 
dence between the Epic verses and the Epigraphic passage 
mentioned above. Dama, Tyaga and apramada are mentioned 
in identical terms in both. ‘“ Amutapadani”’ of the Besnagar 
inscription has its parallel in the expression mates 0 of 
the Mahabharata, while Svaga of the epigraph corresponds to 
Brahmaloka of the Epic. It is clear that there was some close 
connection between the rae of the Mahabharata and that 
of the Besnagar Inscriptio 
ere is another pagieataist fact which should not be 
overlooked. Heliodoros, the Greek ambassador to whom we 
owe the inscription, was a native of Takshasila in Gandhara. 
The city of Takshasila figures prominently in the story of the 
recitation of the Mahabharata. It was at this city se Jana- 
mejaya heard from Vaisampayana the famous stor t 
Kurus and the Pandus. This is clear from the folowing’ verses 
of the Svargarohanaparva. 
Fw wala :-— 
wat aaatend fata FETS | 
eat aka Faq WaATy HIE | 
atfawara :— 
<a feqAer F UTAT AAAAA: | 
fafaciswaead saat | 
Aa: AATUATATS: HAHAH ATH | 
WA RAHAT tte: ufeateaaagare | 
sat fearaty artery aferarfucat aad | 
yfrararta < @ ATS cat aT ATTA Il 
faaeifaet fautera crafty TAB | 
AAAI H Ua TIATs WATSAA TH 
i (Mbh. XVIII, 5. 30-34.) 
Vaisampayana said : — 
I have now told you, O you of great splendour, every 
rare Hee about: the ects, 0 Bharata, of both the Kurus and the 
Sauti said : — 
Hearing this, O foremost of twice-born ones, at the inter- 
pee pie rer rites, King Janamejaya became filled with 
won 
The sacrificial priests then finished the rites which Te 
mained to go through. Astika, having resc ued the snakes 
(from a fiery death) became filled with joy. . 
ing Janamejaya then iaiael all the Brahmanas with 



