'Formerly, on one occasion, while out on hunting, I arrived at the asylum of Markandeya. There I saw various classes of ascetics seated by thousands.
भीष्म उवाच पुराहं मृगयां यातो मार्कण्डेयाश्रमे स्थितः। तत्रापश्यं मुनिगणान् समासीनान् सहस्रशः॥