SB 1.19.17
iti sma rajadhyavasaya-yuktah
pracina-mulesu kusesu dhirah
udan-mukho daksina-kula aste
samudra-patnyah sva-suta-nyasta-bharah
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
In perfect self-control, Maharaja Pariksit sat down on a seat of straw, with straw-roots facing the east, placed on the southern bank of the Ganges, and he himself faced the north. Just previously he had given charge of his kingdom over to his son.
Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
The River Ganges is celebrated as the wife of the sea. The seat of kusa straw is considered to be sanctified if the straw is taken out of the earth complete with root, and if the root is pointed toward the east it is considered to be auspicious. Facing the north is still more favorable for attaining spiritual success. Maharaja Pariksit handed over the charge of administration to his son before leaving home. He was thus fully equipped for all favorable conditions.