Conversation of the Seven Sages

Bhishma said:

1-6. I have heard the excellent (account of) the greatness of Puskara and Nandā. I have heard all that, viz. that a crore of sages came there and all became handsome on seeing the (reflections of their) faces in (the water of) Puskara. Tell me how they divided the portions of land. How did the magnanimous ones divide the sacred place? How did they fashion the other holy hermitages also? Vishnu first stepped on the sacrificial mountain. Then serpents of great (i.e. severe) poison fashioned a holy place there. Who first fashioned the well for the offering of balls of rice to the manes? How did Gań gā -Sarasvatī, going underground, flow towards the north? (Please) tell me how the brā hmanas well-versed in the Vedas should undertake the pilgrimage of the triad of Puskara and what fruit accrues from it.

1. Sā yujya: Identification with or absorption, especially in a deity.

Pulastya spoke:

7-10. You have got ready with a great burden (i.e. volley) of questions. So please listen with a concentrated mind to the great fruit of (a visit to) a sacred place. He whose hands and feet and mind are well-controlled, and who has knowledge, penance and fame (to his credit) gets the fruit of (a visit to) a holy place. He who keeps himself away from accepting a donation, is content with whatever he gets and is free from egotism gets the fruit of (a visit to) a holy place. O lord of kings, he who is free from anger, is of a truthful disposition and of a firm vow, who looks upon other beings as himself obtains the fruit of (a visit to) a holy place.

11-12. This is a great secret of the sages, O best of Bharatas. Formerly at (the time of) Brahma's sacrifice a crore of sages with severe penance came there and seeing (the reflections of their own) faces lived at Jyestha Puskara.

13-14. Having become extremely handsome the best sages overcome with great joy and desirous of seeing (the deities), having measured with the sacred thread that land in the four directions and thus having divided it into the various sacred places, lived there with great devotion.

15. The grandsire being pleased with them lived near them having made their division of (i.e. having divided) the crore and seeing the (land measured by) the wise ones (said to them):

16-18. " From today your merit will enhance. A man, who having come here, first bathes his body in the water (here) for (obtaining) handsomeness, will have undoubtedly turned this place into a holy place (with its effect spreading over) a circle (i.e. radius) of the length (i.e. measure) of a Yojana (a measure of eight or nine miles). Its breadth is half a Yojana and length is a Yojana and a half: this is the measure of the holy place that is introduced by the crore of sages."

19. By merely going to Puskara a man obtains the fruit of Rā jasū ya and Aś vamedha sacrifices, O lord of kings.

20-26a. The very holy SarasvatI has entered Jyestha Puskara. On the fourteenth day in the first half of Caitra, O lord of kings, gods like Brahma, sages, divine beings with special faculties and divine singers go there. A man, who, engrossed in worshipping gods and manes, bathes there, obtains the (fruit of) having offered a cow. Those sages have thus made the (various) divisions of the holy place. Having satiated the gods and manes a man is honoured in Vishnu's world. Having bathed there a man becomes spotless like the moon; he obtains Brahma's world and gets the highest position. The holy place named Puskara in the world of men is well-known in the three worlds as the destroyer of great sins. The thousands of crores of holy places reside in Puskara for (all) the three times (of the day), O you scion of the (Kuru) family.

26b-29a. O lord, Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Sā dhyas with the hosts of Maruts, Gandharvas and celestial nymphs are always present there; where (i.e. at this holy place) gods, demons, brahmanic sages having practised penance got united with the divine and were endowed with great religious merit. All the sins of a person even desiring (to visit) Puskara are purified (and) he enjoys at the top of heaven.

29b-31a. Brahma, liked by gods and demons and being very much delighted, always lived at the holy place. O great king, gods along with sages obtained great wellbeing and were endowed with great religious merit.

31b-33. The wise say that one, who, engaged in worshipping manes and gods, bathes there (gets) religious merit (which is) ten times more than (the one obtained by) a horse-sacrifice. If a person living in Puskara-forest feeds even one brā hmana, by that food a crore (of) brā hmanas are worshipped and well-pleased. By that act he becomes happy here (i.e. in this world) and after death (i.e. in heaven).

34-41 a. A person, who himself lives on vegetables or roots or any other (eatable), should, being free from jealousy, and with faith, offer the same to a brā hmana. O best king, by (offering vegetables etc. to a brā hmana) a man — whether he is a brā hmana, or a ksatriya or a vaiś ya or a ś ū dra — gets the fruit of a horse sacrifice. The lake by name Puskara, belonging to the grandsire, gives religious merit to anchorites, siddhas and sages; from which (holy place) most auspicious Sarasvatī went to the great ocean; where (again)the first god, the great ascetic, killer of Madhu (i.e. Vishnu) lives who is known as Ā divarā ha (the first boar) and was worshipped by gods. Even those magnanimous ones who belong to the low castes go to the holy place of the grandsire (i.e. Puskara), and who bathe in it do not get an ignominious birth. We have heard that he who goes to Puskara especially on the fullmoon day of Kā rtika gets there an inexhaustible fruit. He who with his hands joined in reverance recollects the holy place (called) Puskara in the morning and evening, has (i.e. may be said to have) bathed in all holy places.

41b-46a. Whatever may be the sin of a man or a woman all that perishes merely by having a bath in Puskara. As the grandsire (i.e. Brahma) is said to be best among gods, in the same way Puskara-tī rtha is said to be the first among the holy places. He, who, being restrained and pure, considering this, lives for ten years at Puskara, gets the (merit of) all sacrifices and goes to the world of Brahma. One who maintains the sacred fire for a hundred years or one who lives at Puskara on (just) one full-moon day of Kā rtika — (the religious merit of bath) is the same. Performing a sacrifice at Puskara is difficult. Practice of penance at Puskara is difficult. To give a gift at Puskara is difficult. So also residence at Puskara is difficult.

46b-49a. A brā hmana, well-versed in the Vedas visiting Puskara and bathing there attains salvation and by offering a Ś rā ddha becomes the saviour of his manes. (If) a brā hmana in name only goes to Puskara and offers Sandhyā 1, (it may be said that) he has offered Sandhyā for twelve years. There is no doubt in this (for) Brahma himself has formerly said so. The defect mentioned by Sā vitrī is not produced in his family.

49b-53. A wife who offers, with a copper water-pot, water to her husband who offers Sandhyā, being released (from the cycle of birth and death) goes to heaven. Reaching the world of Brahma she stays there for (an entire) day of Brahma. One, who all alone goes (to Puskara), performs Sandhyā in due order with the water of Puskara put in a pitcher, has also performed Sandhyā for twelve years. There is no doubt about this. While he is making oblations to his manes his wife should be by his side. O best of kings, by him resorting to the southern direction the manes are satisfied for twelve years.

1. Sandhyā: The morning, noon and evening prayers of a brā hmana.

54-56a. With (the muttering of) Gā yatrī prayer, with (i.e. by offering) a ball of rice the manes are satisfied for a thousand yugas; and with (i.e. by offering) a ś rā ddha they get eternity. For this (i.e. ś rā ddha etc.) a man marries. Those (who say): going to the sacred place we shall offer the balls of rice with faith, obtain sons, wealth, grains and uninterrupted lineage. There is no doubt about this. This is what the grandsire said.

56b-60a. One would get (i.e. one gets) the fruit of the Agnistoma sacrifice by satisfying manes and gods. O king, I shall also describe to you the hermitages; listen with a concentrated mind. Agastya has put up here a hermitage liked by the gods, of the seven sages, the brahmanic sages; so also the great hermitage of Manus. The beautiful city of the Nā gas is (situated) on the mountain-slope. O great king, I shall tell you in brief (about) the prowess of Agastya of immeasurable vitality; listen quite attentively.

60b-62. O Bhī sma, formerly in the Krta-yuga there were very fearful demons, known as the Kā leya hosts, who were maddened with fighting. Resorting to Vritra they were eager to defeat gods. Then gods, being dejected, waited upon Brahma. The highest lord, seeing all of them (waiting upon him) with the palms of their hands joined, said (to them):

63-65. " O gods, I have understood what you desire to be done. I shall tell you a stratagem (adopting) which you will kill Vritra. There is a generous-minded great and well known sage by name Dadhī ci. All of you going together to him ask for a boon. He, of a righteous mind will grant it very gladly. All of you desiring victory should thus speak to him:

66-68. 'Desiring the good of the three worlds (please) give (us) your bones.' Casting his body he will give (you) his bones. With his bones fashion a very terrible great destructive weapon like the thunderbolt. That great divine missile, capable of killing the enemy is called Aś ani. With that thunderbolt Indra will kill Vritra. All this I have explained to you; do all that (as explained)."

69-76. Then the gods, being thus addressed (by Brahma), sought his leave and led by Indra went to Dadhī ci's hermitage. It was on the other bank of Sarasvatī; it was covered with various trees and creepers, resounding with the hummings of the bees like the sounds of the Sā ma-singers; resounding with the notes of the cakora-birds1 mixed with the notes of the male cuckoos; it was resounding with the cries of buffalos, boars, srmara and camara2 deer, free from the fear of tigers and roaming at various places (in it); so also with trumpetings of female and male elephants in rut and resounding with the cries (of) the sporting lions and great tigers roaring loudly; so also it was resounding with the cries of peacocks secretly dwelling in various dens and caves. (Gods) came to Dadhī ci's hermitage well-known like heaven. There they saw that Dadhī ci having lustre like that of the sun shining with his body like the four-armed (Vishnu) with Laksmī. Having saluted and paid homage to his feet, all gods asked him for a boon as they were told by Brahma.

77. Then that very well-known Dadhī ci spoke thus to the best gods: " O gods, I shall do whatever is beneficial to you; I shall even cast my body."

78-81. Speaking thus to them, he, the greatest among the bipeds (i.e. human beings), abandoned his life. Those gods, along with Indra, took his bones to use them as required; and the gods, with their appearances pleasing in view of the victory, finding (i.e. going to) Tvastr told him (their) desire. Tvastr too, hearing their words, pleased in appearance and self-restrained, carefully fashioned the very powerful thunderbolt; and being delighted (on) having fashioned that missile said to (Indra): " 0 god, today reduce to ashes, with this excellent missile, that fearful enemy of gods (i.e. Vritra). Then with your enemies killed, you, remaining in the heaven along with the group of your attendants (the gods) happily rule over the three worlds.'' Thus addresed by Tvastr Indra, who was delighted and self-restrained, took that thunderbolt.

82-83. Then he, provided with the thunderbolt, and adored by gods, found out Vritra who had remained by covering the heaven and the earth, who was all around protected by Kā la-keyas1 of big bodies and with their weapons ready and (looking) like mountains with their peaks.

1. Jī varhjivaka: The cakora bird.

2. Srmara a Camara: Are kinds of deer.

84. Then O best of Bharatas, a great war, causing fear to the world, of the gods with the demons took place for a while.

85-86. A clanging noise of the swords repulsed by the raised arms of the heroes, was produced (there; ) O king, with the bodies pierced, and the heads falling from the sky, the earth appeared to be covered by tā la-trees.

87. The Kā leyas, putting on golden armours, having (iron) beams as their weapons, and, looking like trees burnt by wild fire attacked the gods.

88. (The gods) could not put up with the force of them (i.e. of the Kā leyas) who were together forcibly rushing (to the gods); being defeated they (i.e. the gods) fled through fear.

89. Seeing them frightened and fleeing, and seeing Vritra strengthened, the thousand-eyed Indra became very much dejected.

90. Seeing that Indra (thus) overcome with dejection eternal Vishnu put his own lustre into Indra and increased his power.

91. The hosts of gods and all the pure brahmanic sages, seeing Indra (thus) strengthened by Vishnu, mustered strength.

92. Indra, who was (thus) strengthened by Vishnu along with gods and illustrious sages, became powerful.

93. Coming to know that the lord of gods (i.e. Indra) had become powerful Vritra cried very loudly. Due to his shouting, everything — earth, quarters, the sky, heaven, mountains — shook (up).

94. Then that great Indra, who was very much agitated, sank with fear on hearing that fearful, great shouting and quickly discharged his thunderbolt on his head.

95. He, who had put on golden flowers, struck by Indra's thunderbolt, fell down with a great sound in front (of Indra), like a very great mountain along with Mandara, released from Vishnu's hand.

1. Kā lakeyasjKā leyas: Name of a kind of demons.

96. When that greatest demon was killed, Indra, struck by fear, ran to enter a lake. He thought that the thunderbolt had slipped from his hand due to Vritra's fear, and did not notice Vritra (who was) killed by him.

97. All the gods along with the sages were happy and delighted and praised him (i.e. Indra); and the gods, agitated due to Vritra's murder, together quickly killed the remaining demons.

98-100. Being killed at that time by the gods, the great demons, with speed like that of the wind, and struck by fear, entered the vast ocean full of large fish and gems, and together held consultations. There some of them of a firm mind conceiving various remedies, and distressed with fear and tormented by the groups of gods, decided to destroy the three worlds. Due to their (imminent) contact with destructive death, they who were thinking there, had a terrible idea.

101-102. (They said: ) " Those who are endowed with learning and penance should be destroyed (i.e. killed) first; and as all the worlds are sustained by penance, make hurry to destroy penance. Quickly murder those on the earth who are ascetics, well-versed in piety and wise; (for) when they are destroyed the world will be destroyed."

103-106. Thus all of them with their understanding and disposition lost, became very much delighted at (the idea of) the destruction of the world. They resorted to the inaccessible treasure of gems (i.e. the ocean) of great waves and the abode of Varuna. (Thus) having obtained (as their resort) the ocean, the treasure of water and (the abode of) Varuna, the Kā leyas became busy in the destruction of the three worlds. They who were very angry, devoured, at night, the sages that lived in the hermitages and auspicious abodes. They ate up one hundred and eightyeight brā hmanas in Vasishtha's hermitage and also others practising penance in the forest.

107-110. Having gone to Gyavana's holy hermitage inhabited by brā hmanas, they ate up a hundred sages subsisting on fruits and roots. Doing such (things) at night, they entered the ocean in the day. Having gone to Bharadvā ja's hermitage, they killed twenty restrained celibates subsisting on air and water. In this manner the powerful demons, due to the might of their arms, rushed at night to devour the sages.

111-122. During a long period they killed many hosts of sages; and, O lord of men, men did not recognise them. The world distressed with the fear of the Kā leyas was without any sacred study, exclamation of Vasat or sacrifices, festivals and (other sacred) rites and (therefore) without any exertion. O lord of men, men being thus destroyed, being frightened, and intent upon their own protection, ran into the ten directions. Some entered thecaves, while others were scattered (i.e. ran here and there); some others, distressed with fear, gave up their life through fear. Certain very proud, brave, great archers strove hard to find out the demons; but they could not pursue them who had entered the ocean. They did not get much peace, and returned home. When there was (thus) slaughter in the world and when sacrifices, festivals and sacred rites were no more (observed), O lord of men, the gods, very much dejected, came back through fear to the unconquered Vishnu after having gathered together; and led by Vishnu, they held consultations. Then the gods who had gathered (there) said to Vishnu: " O lord of the world, you are our creator, protector and commander; you have created all this world — that which moves and that which does not move. O you lotus-eyed one, formerly, assuming the boar's form you took up (i.e. out) the earth that had disappeared (i.e. sunk into the ocean) for (the good of) the world. O you best of men, taking up the body (i.e. form) of Narasirhha, you formerly killed the very mighty and foremost demon Hiranyakaś ipu. Assuming the form of Vā mana, you threw out from the three worlds, the great demon Bali, who could not be killed by any being.

123-130. The gods killed the cruel demon Jambha1 who was a great archer and caused disturbance in sacrifices. Such deeds, which are innumerable (were done by you). O killer of Madhu, you are the recourse of us who are very much frightened; therefore, O god, lord of gods, we are requesting you to (save) the world. Protect the worlds and Indra too, from great fear. The beings of the four kinds act by your favour. Men are happy and the residents of heaven are happy because of the oblations offered to gods and manes. Thus people, depending upon one another and unexcited due to your favour and protected by you alone, act; and this very great fear has now come to the worlds; we do not know by whom the brā hmanas are killed at night; when the brā hmanas are weakened, the world will perish. O you of mighty arms, O lord of the universe, due to your favour let not all the worlds, protected by you alone, perish."

1. Jambha: The name of a demon killed by Indra; here, however, he is said to have been killed by gods.

Vishnu said:

131-134. O gods, I know the entire cause of the destruction of the beings; and I shall tell (it) to you; being free from distress listen (tome). The very terrible groups (of demons) called Kā lakeya, seeing Vritra killed by the intelligent Indra, (trying) to protect their life, entered the ocean. They entered the fearful ocean full of alligators, (and) at night killed the sages for the destruction of the world. As they are hidden (i.e. as they hide themselves) within the ocean, they cannot be destroyed. You should (therefore) think of destroying the ocean.

135. Hearing these words uttered by Vishnu and having met Brahma, the gods went to Agastya's hermitage.

136. There thev saw the magnanimous Agastya, of a blazing lustre and waited upon by the sages as the grandsire by gods.

137. Having gone to the noble, excellent, careful Agastya, the heap of penance due to his having done the deeds assigned to him, the gods said:

138. " Formerly you were the refuge of the worlds tormented by Nahusa. For the (good of the) people you deprived him, the thorn (i.e. troublesome) to the worlds, of the throne.

139. Due to his being angry with the Sun, the best mountain viz. Vindhya grew (in height); but not transgressing your words (i.e. obeying your order) he does not grow now.

140-141. As the world is covered with darkness, and the beings are afflicted with (the fear of) death, we, having come to you, the protector, are very happy. You are always the refuge of us who are very much afraid. Therefore, because you are the giver of boons, we shall today seek a boon from you."

Bhishma said

142. O great sage, I wish to hear in detail why all of a sudden Vindhya was filled with anger and why he grew (in height).

Pulastya said:

143. At the time of rising and setting, the Sun went round the great golden mountain Meru, the lord of mountains.

144-146. Seeing the Sun like that (i.e. going round Meru) the Vindhya mountain said to him: " As you go to the mountain Meru everyday and go round him, you should do the same to (i.e. go round) me (also)." Thus addressed, the Sun replied to the lord of mountains: " I am not going round the (Meru) mountain by my desire. This path is ordained for me by Him who created this world."

147. O you who torment the enemies, the (Vindhya) mountain who was thus told (by the Sun), being angry and desiring to block the path of the Sun and the Moon suddenly grew (in height).

148. Then all gods gathering together with Indra (and) coming to the lord of mountains warded (i.e. tried to ward) off the growing (mountain), but he did not do what they told him.

149. All those gods together went to the respectable sage Agastya residing in his hermitage and best among those possessing penance and piety, and having glowing power.

The gods said:

150-151. O best sage, this lord of mountains, Vindhya, being under the influence of anger, blocks the path of the Sun, the Moon and the Constellations. None else (except you) is able to ward him off.

Having heard these words of the gods, he went to the mountain.

152-154a. Having gone to Vindhya, he said to him who stood by him with respect: " O best of mountains, I desire that a passage be given (to me) by you; for some work I am going to the southern direction; (please) wait till I come back. O lord of mountains, after I return you may grow as you like."

Pulastya said:

154b-157. (Even till) today, Agastya has not returned from the southern region. You asked me and I have told you why Vindhya does not grow due to the prowess of Agastya. Now, O king, listen tome. I will tell you how all the gods, after going to the door of (the hermitage of) Agastya, killed the Kā leyas. Having heard the words of gods, Agastya said to them: " For what purpose have you come (to me)? What boon do you desire from me?."

158-159. Thus addressed by him at that time, the gods said to the sage: " We desire (to have) a wonderful boon (from you).

O divine sage, O high-souled one, drink (up) the ocean. O great sage, we thus desire the great ocean to be fully drunk by you. Then we shall kill the army of god's enemies, called Kā leyas, along with their descendants."

160. Hearing the words of the gods, the sage said: " All right. I shall fulfil your desire which would cause happiness to the worlds."

161. O you of good vow, saying this he then went, along with the sages mature in penance, and gods, to the ocean, the abode of water.

162-165. Men, serpents, Gandharvas, Yaksas and Kimpur-usas (beings with human heads and forms of horses) desiring to see that wonder went after the noble sage. Then with them he saw the ocean roaring fearfully, as it were dancing with waves and leaping with the wind, as it were laughing with the heaps of foam and tumbling into the crevices, crowded with crocodiles (or sharks) and full of hosts of birds. Gods with Agastya, great serpents, Gandharvas, and noble sages reached the great ocean.

166-171. Having reached there the revered and best of the sages, Agastya desiring to drink (up) the ocean said to the gods and sages that had assembled there: " For the good of the worlds I will drink up the ocean. Do quickly what you want to do." Saying this much (i.e. these words), that angry Agastya drank up the ocean when all the world was watching. Gods with Indra, seeing the ocean (thus) being drunk up (by Agastya) were very much amazed and adored him with eulogies. (Theysaid to him: )

" O you creator of the worlds, you are the protector and creator of us and (also) of the worlds. This flat world will be elevated by your favour." The great one being (thus) adored by the gods when the chief Gandharvas were shouting (joyfully), and being showered upon with flowers, made the great ocean void of water,

172-177. All the gods became very much delighted on seeing the ocean emptied (by Agastya); and holding divine and excellent weapons the gods, of great energy, killed those demons. They (i.e. demons) being thus killed by the noble, violent and roaring gods, were unable to bear the force of the high-souled gods. O you born in the family of Bharata, the demons who were making fearful sounds, being killed by the gods fought very fiercely for a while. They who were striving hard with their might were formerly burnt by the sages, whose souls were purified and were killed by gods. They (i.e. the demons) who had put on golden ornaments1 on their chests and wore earrings and bracelets2, when killed shone very much like blossomed Kimś uka trees. Some of the best followers of demon Kā leya, that remained (i.e. escaped being killed), tore asunder goddess earth and entered the lower region.

178. Having seen the demons killed, the gods praised the best sage with various words and said these words to him:

179-180. " C* illustrious one, the worlds have obtained great happiness by your favour. The Kā leyas of a fearful valour have been killed by your lustre. O great brā hmana, fill up (with water) the ocean, the promoter of the welfare of the world. Pour out again the water that you had drunk."

181-182. Thus addressed, the revered sage, best among the sages, said: " That water has been digested by me; you who strove (to empty the ocean should now) think of some other way for filling the ocean (with water)."

183-188a. Hearing these words of the great holy sage (all the) gods together became amazed and dejected. Requesting one another and saluting the best sage, all the beings and the brā hmanas went as they had come, O great king. Gods along with Vishnu, consulting one another about the filling up of the ocean, followed (i.e. went to) the grandsire (i.e. Brahma), and with the palms of their hands joined, all of them told him about the filling up of the ocean. Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds said to them, who had gathered (there): " O gods, all of you (may) go as you like and as you wish; after a long period the ocean will go back to its original condition. The great king Bhagī ratha, making his relations the cause (i.e. for the sake of his relations) will again fill up the ocean with the stream of the Ganges."

1. Niska: A golden ornament for the neck.

2. Ań gada; Bracelet.

188b. Thus (i.e. having told them like this) Brahma dismissed the gods and the best sages.

189-190. The lord who was pleased said to Agastya, the best sage: " You have performed this operation — the destruction of the demons — for gods; since you saved the gods, I am pleased with you, O sage. Ask for a boon that you desire to have; I shall grant it."

191-192. Agastya, thus addressed by Brahma, saluted Brahma (and said to him): " O god, I did this mission of the gods by remaining here. Let this hermitage be the best of all; and there is no doubt that when you say it will be so (i.e. best of all), it will be like that."

Brahma said:

193-195. " Having had a pilgrimage to Puskara those men, who, having come here bathe in the pools here and satisfy (by making offerings) manes and gods and offer worship to gods which causes everything to be inexhaustible, and taking (in their hands) high and low materials of worship offer baked cakes1 and small round cakes2 to brā hmanas, will reside in heaven; the manes are satisfied with the ś rā ddha (offered here) till the submersion of the beings (i.e. final deluge).

196-200. He, who, having climbed up the sacrificial mountain, sees the outflow of the Ganges, pleases a sage with bulbs, roots and fruits, reaches the place of seven sages and enjoys happiness (there) for eternal years. The divine river flowing to the north has come up to Puskara. There is no doubt that he who bathes here and is engaged in worshipping manes and gods, gets the fruit of a horse-sacrifice. O best of sages, he who feeds (but) one brā hmana (here) has (indeed) fed a crore of brā hmanas; the food-and-drink offered here is inexhaustible. Whatever he desires, all that he obtains. A man who has just bathed here does not have an ignominious birth.

1. Saskula: A kind of baked cake.

2. Apū pa: A small round cake of flour, meal, etc.

201-202. The place that I have given (you), O best of sages, will be the best among places, and the best sacred place of all sacred places. There is no doubt about it. All that sin of a man or a woman perishes merely by his (or her) having bathed here.

203-204. Having thus spoken, and having taken his leave of the best sage Agastya and of other sages, revered Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds went (to his abode); and, O hero, Agastya too lived in his own hermitage. I have thus narrated to you the origin of the hermitage of Agastya.

205-211. O you born in the Kuru-family, I shall also describe to you the hermitages of the seven sages: These sages, viz. Atri and Vasishtha, and Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Ań giras, Gautama, also Sumati and Sumukha, Viś vā mitra, Sthū laś iras, Samvarta and Pratardana, Raibhya, Brihaspati and Chyavana, Kaś yapa, Bhrigu, Durvā sas, Jamadagni, Mā rkandeya and Gā lava, Uś anas and Bharadvā ja, and the sage Yavakrī ta, (also) Sthū lā ksha, Sakalā ksa, Kanva, Medhā tithi and Krta, Nā rada and Parvata, Svagandhi and brā hmana Chyavana, Trnā mbu, Ś abala, Dhaumya, Ś atā nanda and Krtavarna, Jamadagni, also Rā ma and Astaka and others, also Krishna-dvaipā yana along with his sons and disciples, came to Puskara and in the hermitage of the seven sages, got engrossed in restraints and these ascetics were full of compassion.

212-216. (All these virtues, viz.) kindness, victory, courage, penance, truth, uprightness, pity, charity, muttering were established in all of them. The (fruit of the) deed which is done here is enjoyed in the next world. Knowing this to be so, the sages are intent upon the highest goal. Atheists, thieves, those who have not restrained their senses, (also) the cruel and wicked, the ungrateful and the haughty men do not come here. Those who are truthful and lustrous, brave, kind and given to forgiveness, (also) those who perform and are disposed to sacririces, who are desireless and innocent, who do not have the sense of mineness and egotism go there to Puskara.

217-224. The noble ones there do not have (i.e. do not contract) a disease or old age or death. Fools, also sensual persons, and those who are perturbed by love of sensual enjoyments, greed, passion, treachery, anger and delusion do not enter (i.e. go) there. Those who look upon honour and dishonour as equal, who are indifferent to pairs of opposite feelings (of pleasure and pain), and who have controlled their senses and who are intent on meditation and concentration of mind go to Puskara. The brā hmanas who, as already told, live in the hermitages to protect themselves from Yama, get (i.e. go to) glorious worlds; (also) those who do not harm beings by act, thought or speech, who are more (i.e. very) kind, good and always speak agreeably, who always maintain the sacred fire, who always honour guests, who always study the Vedas, and are always engaged in bathing, and who, being free from desire, always look upon other's wife as their own mother or sister or daughter (go to the glorious worlds). (Similarly) those who do not get angry when insulted, do not harm when harmed, look upon pleasure and pain as equal, (who) are noble and have their senses controlled, all of them perceive (everything) and all of them, thinking about the eternal world of Brahma with profound meditation, formerly moved on this earth.

225-227. Some time there was the entire world, oppressed by hunger, was full of miseries. Then when thus there was no food in the world, they (i.e. the sages) desirous of obtaining (i.e. sustaining) themselves, and being very miserable got (the) dead (body of) a boy and cooked it. A king walked about there. Seeing the distressed sages and being struck by dejection he said these words (to them) at that time:

The king said:

228-229. Receiving gifts is observed to be a praiseworthy mode of leading life for the brā hmanas. Therefore, O sages, accept from me gifts like excellent villages, rice, barley, drinks, jewels, gold, cattle and milch-cows. (Take) all that, (but), O brā hmanas, do not cook flesh.

The sages spoke:

230-236. O king, accepting gifts is terrible, it is tasting wine; it is like poison. Why do you allure us who know this? An oilman is equal to ten slaughter-houses; a vendor of spirituous liquors is equal to ten oilmen; a prostitute is equal to ten vendors of spirituous liquors; (and) a king is equal to ten prostitutes. So a king is comparable to a vintner who carries (i.e. is equal to) ten thousand slaughter-houses. Acceptance of gifts from him is fearful. A brā hmana, who, deluded by greed, accepts (gifts) from a king, is cooked in the terrible hells like Tā misra.1 Therefore O king, go (your way); may you prosper with your gifts. Give this (host of gifts) to others.

Saying so, they went to a forest. Then the king's ministers went there at the bidding of the king and scattered on the ground udumbara fruits containing gold. Then (while) collecting food they picked up the udumbara fruits also. Seeing them to be heavy, Atri said, " These are not to be taken."

Atri said:

237-240. We are not fools, we are not dullards. Being wise and learned we know that these (fruits) are golden. It gives great pleasure here (i.e. in this world); but it impedes the rise (of the person) after death; therefore he who desires happiness and eternity should not take it. He who receives a golden coin multiplied by hundred or endowed with a thousand (i.e. he who receives a hundred or thousand golden coins) from another (person), goes to the most sinful condition. Whatever rice, barley, gold, beasts or ladies are there on the earth — realising that (all) this is not eough for one, one should be tranquil.

Vasishtha said:

241-244. Between the accumulation of penance that one has and the accumulation of wealth that another has, the former is superior to the latter. Calamities of a person who discards all accumulations, vanish. No hoarder is ever free from calamities.

According as a brā hmana does not accept a bad gift, his brahmanic lustre increases as a result of contentment. If poverty and kingdom are weighed (i.e. compared) with each other, then poverty is superior to kingdom for one of a good mind.

1. Tā misra: A division of hell. There are twentyone different parts of (he-infernal regions where different kinds of tortures are inflicted on sinners.

Kaś yapa said:

245-249. This accumulation of wealth is a great calamity for a brā hmana. A brā hmana deluded by material prosperity is deprived of final beatitude. Material wealth leads to delusion, and delusion leads to hell. Therefore, one who desires bliss should abandon from a distance (i.e. keep away) material wealth called misery. The desirelessness of him, who desires material things (only) for religious merit, is superior; for it is better not to touch mud than to wash it (after being smeared with it). That religious merit which is obtained through material wealth is said to be perishable. That sacrifice which is done for others is inexhaustible and is a cause of salvation.

Bharadvā ja said:

250-253. The hair of one who grows old, wears out. The teeth of one who grows old, perish. (But) the desire for wealth and for life, even of him who grows old, does not wither away. The eyes and ears wear out, (but) desire alone is undisturbed. As a tailor brings together (i.e. stitches) two pieces of cloth with a needle, similarly the thread of the mundane existence is brought near (a person) by the needle of desire. Like the growing horn of the ruru deer when his body grows, desire is unlimited, difficult to satiate, the cause of hundreds of miseries and full of unrighteous things; therefore one should avoid it completely.

Gautama spoke:

254-257. Who, content even with fruits, is not able to excel? A man plunges into miseries because of the fickleness of the greedy senses. For him, whose mind is contented, wealth exists everywhere; for him, with his feet covered with hide, the earth is at it were, covered with hide. How can that happiness, which, those who are gratified with the nectar of contentment get, be obtained by those who are greedy of wealth and who

Padma Purā na

run here and there (for wealth)? Want of contentment is a great misery, and contentment is great happiness. Therefore, a man desiring happiness should always be contented.

Viś vā mitra said:

258-261. If one desire of a person entertaining it is satisfied, another desire pierces him like an arrow. Desire never ceases by enjoying the desired things; like fire with oblations put into it, it again grows. A man who longs for desires (being satisfied) does not get happiness like a cā taka bird going to the shadow of a tree which has a hawk's nest on it. A king who enjoys this earth begirt by four oceans is not (so) happy (as) he who looks upon stone and gold as equal.

Jamadagni said:

262-265. He who does not accept a gift even though he is fit to receive it goes to those eternal worlds to which the charitable people go. A brā hmana who desires wealth from a king should be deplored by great sages. The fool does not realise the fear of tortures in hell. Even though one is worthy of receiving a gift one should not be attached to it. By (accepting) a gift the brahmanic lustre of the brā hmanas comes to an end. Those, who are worthy of receiving gifts, but desist from doing so (i.e.) those who do not receive gifts, go to the same worlds as the givers.

Arundhati spoke:

266-267. As the lotus-fibre remaining in a lotus would always pervade it, similarly desire, having no beginning and no end, and which is difficult to be abandoned by the wicked and which does not grow old even though the person (who entertains it) grows old, is always associated with the body. Gladly give up this desire which is a fatal disease.

Cā ndā la said:

268. As these kings dread (i.e. entertain) the fear from Rudra etc. (or) as a weak person is afraid of a powerful one, I am afraid of (greed).

Paś usakha said:

269a. A learned man desiring his well-being should do that which the wise always intent upon piety do.

269b-273. Speaking thus, all the sages firm in their vows abandoned those fruits containing gold and went elsewhere. Then as they were wandering they went to Madhyama Puskara. There they saw a wandering mendicant, Ś unahsakha (by name) who had all of a sudden come there. Accompanying him to some other forest they saw a great lake — a reservoir — covered with lotuses. Thinking about an auspicious way they encamped on the bank of Sarasvatī. Then that ascetic Ś unahsakha (lit. one with a dog) said to all the hungry sages: " Tell me, all of you, what kind of pain hunger is."

274a. All the sages together said to that Ś unahsakha (the mendicant with a dog):

The sages said:

274b-277. Even that pain (that one has) when one is wounded by a (missile called) Ś akti, a sword, a mace, and a disc, a javeline or an arrow, is vanquished by the pain caused by hunger. That pain also caused by diseases like asthma, leprosy, consumption, knee-ache, fever, epilepsy, gout is not greater (i.e. acuter) than the pain caused by hunger. Men who have put on golden armlets, anklets, crowns or bright ear-rings do not shine when they remain in hunger (i.e. when they are hungry). As the sun's ray draws the water fallen on the ground, similarly the arteries in the body are dried up by the digestive fire of the stomach.

278-281. A person oppressed by hunger does not hear, does not smell, does not see with his eyes, is scorched, gets emaciated, is perplexed and parched up. Overpowered by hunger he does not recognise the directions like the east, the south, the west and the north; and also the lower and the higher. Due to hunger dumbness, deafness, dullness, lameness, horror aggravate excessively. A person oppressed with hunger abandons his father, mother, sons, wife and daughter, and also his brother and kinsman.

282-284. A person oppressed with hunger, does not worship properly the manes, god or preceptor, and also sages that have followed (i.e. approached) him. Thus left by himself, (he suffers from) these troubles which happen to (cause pain to) men. So a person, endowed with faith, should thus offer food. Then being one with Brahman, he rejoices with Brahman.

285-286. The manes of that man, who everyday offers well-cooked food to a brā hmana, who declares offering of food especially at the time of ś rā ddha, who at a ś rā ddha where the spirits have undergone destruction, ever narrates (texts), are pleased till death.

287-288. There is no doubt about this. One who offers food in the vicinity of gods and brā hmanas gets salvation. He who hears (texts about charity etc.) is free from sin whether he is enlightened, or intoxicated or has arrived accidentally, or is void of devotion.

289-292. Brā hmanas endowed with charity are happy and share piety. Those who know the truth have laid down restraint, control and curbing of the passions. It is especially an eternal duty for brā hmanas; curbing the passions increases lustre; curbing the passions is pure and excellent. A man becomes free from sin and lustrous by means of curbing his passions. Whatever restraints and religious duties of good families are prescribed, or even whatever fruit of sacrifices that is said to be obtained, curbing the passions excels (all) of them. From curbing of passions only proceed penance, sacrifice and charity.

293-295. What (can) an unrestrained person (get) in a forest or what (can) a restrained person (get) in a hermitage? Wherever a restrained person stays, that is a forest, that is a great hermitage. What is the use of the hermitages to him endowed with a virtuous mode of life and with sense-control? Mistakes occur in the case of (i.e. are committed by) impassioned persons even in a forest, (while) penance of the nature of the control of five senses is possible (even) at home. For him who indulges in a praiseworthy deed, his house (itself) is a penance-grove.

296-299. Those who earn their livelihood by (doing) good deeds and righteously, who are always pleased and rejoice in their (own) house, who have conquered their senses, to whom guests are dear and who abide by restrictions, follow piety in their house (itself). Salvation is not had by him who is engrossed in (the study of) grammar, who is interested in fame, who is intent upon (getting) food and clothes, and who is delighted in knowing the behaviour of (other) people. Salvation is certainly possible for him who is given to loneliness, who is of a firm vow, who withdraws affection for all the senses, whose mind is directed to the supreme spirit and meditation on it and for him who is always harmless. A person whose passions are curbed, sleeps and wakes up happily. He, whose mind is awakened, behaves equally with all beings.

300-303. A person does not move as happily in a chariot, or on (the back of) a horse or an elephant, as he moves, with his mind disciplined, on the passage into the next world. (As) one should not touch a lion, nor very much anger a serpent, nor should always make one's enemy wrathful, so also one should not make one's mind void of control. Yama is not called Yama. It is one's self that is called Tama (restraint). That yama by which one's self is controlled, is called Tama (restraint), but a man is dejected without any reason. What can Yama do to him who has controlled himself?

304-306. There is always fear from the carnivorous and (other) animals. To control them the Self-born one (i.e. the creator) has created the rod or sceptre (as the symbol of authority and punishment). The sceptre protects the beings; the sceptre guards the subjects; the sceptre, difficult to conquer, keeps off the most sinful ones. The dark, young, red-eyed sceptre, in which customary observances have been established, governs men

307-311. (Now) in all the stages (of human life) restraint is the best vow. I shall tell all the characteristics1 by which a person is said to be one whose passions are curbed. (They are: ) want of lightness of spirit, want of harshness, contentment, good manners, absence of jealousy, revering the elders, kindness and absence of wickedness towards beings. Curbing passions is said (to consist) of these six (characteristics) by the sages of tranquil minds. Piety and salvation are dependent up on kindness; so also is heaven, O king. He is said to be tranquil who is not angry when insulted, or is not delighted when honoured, and who looks upon pleasure and pain as equal and who is wise. A tranquil person sleeps happily and awakens happily; so he remains superior. He who despises, perishes.

1. Though the characteristics are said to be six, they are really eight, beginning with akā rpanya and ending with apaiś unya.

312-313. Even though insulted by (another person) he should never think ill about him; looking to the duties of his own class, he should not find fault with those of others. He should know himself and should not insult another person by (finding) his faults.

314-316. As a garment covers a defective body, similarly curbing the passions covers one who is deficient in sacred formulae, acts or also in birth. Those who do not know (what) curbing the passions (is), have studied in vain. Restraint is the root of sacred learning; it is an eternal law; he who holds his restraint as equal to gold, is called firm by (i.e. on account of) that (attitude); and not one who is deluded by wealth. Of all the vows restraint is the highest one.

317-318. Even if a brā hmana, knowing the real nature of the Vedas, studies the six limbs (of the Vedas) but is destitute of restraint, he is not honoured here (i.e. in this world). Even though Vedas are studied along with their six limbs, they do not purify a person who is void of restraint. (The study of) Sā mkhya or Yoga or birth in a (noble) family, or a bath in a holy place is useless (without restraint).

319-320. A brā hmana well-versed in the meditation on the supreme spirit would be gratified with an insult as with nectar, and would always despise honour as poison. Penance increases (in strength) by means of insult and decreases by means of honour. A brā hmana who is adored and worshipped goes (away) like a cow (after being) milked.

321-324. As the cow again swells with grass and water, similarly the brā hmana again grows (in strength) by means of repeating prayers and sacrifices. There is no other friend like censure which, receiving sin, gives its own merit. A person should not revile the revilers, should abstain from anger; then (i.e. by doing this), controlling his self he sprinkles it with nectar. A skull (as a begging bowl), roots of trees (as a residence), rugged garments, solitude, indifference, and celibacy lead (one) to the highest position.

325-328. What will he do in a forest (i.e. what is the use of living in a forest) after having conquered desire and anger (i.e. if he has controlled his desire and anger)? Scriptures are (i.e. scriptural knowledge is) retained by study and a family is sustained by good character; sacred prayers are retained by their use, and anger is retained (i.e. checked) by goodness. Who is like him on the earth, who controls his anger that is produced (in his mind), and who, the brave one, mutters prayers without anger? I regard him as the best man who remains after (i.e. by) curbing his anger that is produced, and not that man who sinks into anger. I have told you in detail this rule of piety, which has come down from the grandsire, which is sacred, which is the collection (i.e. essence) of the Vedas and which is eternal.

329-333a. Worlds of those who perform sacrifices are different; so also worlds of those who practise penance are different. Different are the worlds of those whose passions are curbed; and they are greatly honoured. Those who forgive have one fault (only) and no other; and it is that people look upon a person given to forgiveness as weak; (but) this should not be looked upon as a fault (for) forgiveness is the strength of the intelligent. He who knows tranquility greatly values performing sacrifices and digging wells and doing other acts of charity.1 He who mutters prayers or offers oblations or worships with anger, all that (he does) leaks like water from a broken jar.

333b-342a. He who, getting up in the morning, recites this chapter on restraint, will, after having got into the boat of religious merit, overcome difficulties. A brā hmana should always recite this chapter on restraint. He (then) goes to the world of Brahma. From it he does not fall down. Listen to the all-in-all of righteousness; retain it after having heard it. Do not do to others what is unfavourable to yourself. He who looks upon other's wife as his mother, and upon other's wealth as a clod, and upon other beings as himself (alone) perceives (i.e. is wise). Cooking (food) for (offering it to) all gods, and living for others — this is the all-in-all of everything as gold is of (all) metals. Remembering (what is) beneficial to all beings one gets immortality, O king.

1. Isfā pOrta: Performing sacrifices and digging wells and doing other acts of charity.

Thus having spoken about the essential nature of religious merit to Ś unahsakha, all of them stayed there on the bank of the lake with him. They saw the extensive lake covered with (i.e. full of) lotuses blooming at sunrise and moonrise. Getting down into the lake, they put the bundles of fibres of lotuses on the bank of the lake, and performed the auspicious rite of offering water. Having come out of the water, and having met one another, and not seeing these lotus-fibres, they said these words:

The sages said:

342b-344a. Which sinful and cruel person, desiring to eat (the lotus-fibres) has taken away the lotus-fibres of us who are tormented with hunger?

Those best brā hmanas, suspecting one another, asked one another; and O king, they decided to swear.

Kaś yapa said:

344b-347a. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, lose everything everywhere, be deprived of his deposit, be a false witness. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres practise unjust acts through trickery; and have the fruit of those who serve a king. May he, who has stolen the lotus-firbes, (drink and) eat liquor and flesh, always tell lies and always enjoy objects of senses. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, give his daughter (in marriage) after (receiving) her purchase-price.

Vasisfha said:

347b-348. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, have sexual intercourse during a period unfavourable for conception, sleep during the day, and be the guest of one another. May such a brā hmana and the husband of Ś ū dra female live in a village having one well only.

349-35la. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, get the same world as he (i.e. the Ś ū dra-female's husband) gets. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, be cruel and proud of his prosperity, and be jealous and wicked. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, revile when he is reviled (by others) and beat when he is beaten by others; and may he sell liquors.

Gautama said:

351b-353a. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, spoil the food after the guest has arrived, and always eat the food of a ś ū dra; having given gifts, may he proclaim them, and may he be pleased with (i.e. enjoy) others' wives. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres eat sweat-meat all alone.

Viś vā mitra said:

353b-357a. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, always indulge in sex and have sexual intercourse by day, and be a sinner always. May he, who has stolen the lotusfibres, censure others and enjoy other's wife, and be interested in blaming others. May he, of a wicked mind who has stolen the lotus-fibres, slight his mother and father, and have a different (i.e. a mean) attitude towards his mother. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, always eat other's food and sell the (knowledge contained in the) Vedas.

Jamadagni said:

357b-358a. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, be other's servant in every existence, and be destitute of all religious rites.

Ś unahsakha said:

358b-360a. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, study the Vedas justly and be a householder to whom guests are dear, and may tell the truth continuously. May he, who has stolen the lotus-fibres, offer (oblations) to fire according to the proper rites. May he always perform sacrifice(s), and go to the abode of Brahman.

The sages said:

360b-361a. This swearing that is done (now), is desirable for the brā hmanas; O Sunahsakha, you have stolen the lotus-fibres of all of us.

Ś unahsakha said:

361b-363a. O brā hmanas, these lotus-fibres were concealed by me, who also desired to hear (about) religious merit (from you); know me to be Indra. O sages, due to your greedlessness you have won the inexhaustible worlds. Get in the aeroplane; we shall go to the abode of gods.

363b-367a. Then the great sages, who recognised Indra, and who were well-versed in speech, said these words:

" A man, who, having come here, enters the Madhyama Puskara, gets the necessary fruit after having fasted for three nights. There is also no doubt that he would get here the entire fruit of the twelve-year initiation which is laid down for those who live in forests. He does not meet with misfortune and enjoys with his own hosts (i.e. his own kinsmen); and having reached Brahma's place lives there for (such a long time as) Brahma's day."

Pulastya said:

367b-369. The sages, being very much pleased, went to heaven with Indra. Since though thus subjected to various temptations, they did not indulge in greed, so they went to heaven. He who always listens to the auspicious account of the sages, becomes free from all sins and is honoured in heaven.

 

CHAPTER TWENTY

The Rules of Ablution

Bhishma said:

1-3. Please narrate in detail and truthfully, to me who am asking you, another charming account (capable of) destroying sins, also of the Madhyama (Puskara) glorified by the sages and the fruit of (offering) food, and the importance of restraint

1.20.4-14a

(as told by them). And also, O great sage, tell me where Vishnu planted his foot, and how the Kanistha (Puskara) came about.

Pulastya said:

4-5. Formerly in the Rathantara Kalpa, there was a king by name Puspavā hana who was well-known among people and like the sun in lustre. Pleased with his penance, the four-faced one (i.e. Brahma) gave him a golden lotus going at will, O king of the Bharata-family.

6. It always moved at will on the seven islands and the earth. At the beginning of the Kalpa, the people living in Puskara honoured it like an island; hence it is called Pushkaradvī pa.

7-8. Just that lotus-aeroplane was given to him by Brahma. Therefore gods and demons called him Puspavā hana. There was no match to the king seated in that lotus (aeroplane) given by Brahma in the three worlds.

9. Due to the prowess of his penance he had a queen named Lā vanyavatī, who was as it were saluted by thousands of ladies and was like Pā rvatī, who was most liked by Bhava (i.e. Ś iva).

10. He had ten thousand sons who were religious-minded and were foremos t among archers. Seeing his sons, the king again and again became proud.

11-14a. He said these words to the best and revered sage Pracetas who had come to him: " How did I get this steady prosperity? How am I honoured by gods and mortals? How did I have this good queen resembling Laksmī as my wife? O best sage, the creator who was pleased with my penance, gave me this lotus-abode (i.e. this aeroplane) which is not noticed though a hundred crores of kings along with their ministers, elephants, flow of chariots and surrounded by people enter it, and also (it is not noticed by) those who move in the sky (and ask) 'Where has it gone'? It is not accessible to the Moon and the Sun in the sky. Therefore, O Pracetas, tell me whether I have earned religious merit etc. surpassing all that of other people when I was born from the womb of other mother (than my present one, i.e. in the previous existence), or all my sons had done (such religious merit) or this my good wife had done (such religious merit as a result of which I have obtained such prosperity)".

14b. He (i.e. Pracetas) viewing completely (what had happened) in the previous birth said: " O king, listen to that wonderful account.

15. Your awful birth took place in the family of a hunter (i.e. you were born in the awful family of a hunter); and day by day you became a sinner. Your body again became one with the male organ (i.e. of generation) and joints having bad smell all around and having the ornaments of bad nails like those of animals.

16. You did not have a friend nor a son, nor a brother, nor a sister, nor mother, nor someone to govern you; but O king, this beautiful lady was very much liked and loved by you and was friendly with you.

17. There was a fierce drought; on a certain occasion, you who were oppressed by hunger, did not get anything like wild fruits etc. for her to eat.

18-20. You saw a great lake full of lotuses and its bank filled with mud. Taking from it (i.e. the lake) many lotuses you went to a city named Vaidiś a. To get the price of the lotuses you wandered in the city for a whole day. (Then) there was a buyer for (i.e. who bought) the lotuses. You were very much fatigued and oppressed with hunger and sat, with your wife, in the courtyard of a house. Then at night you heard there an auspicious sound.

21-24a. With your wife you went there where (from) that auspicious sound was (i.e. came). There you saw the worship of Vishnu in a circle. A prostitute by name Anań gavatī was observing the vow of Dvā daś l Having adorned (the) golden (image of) Vishnu, and having, on the twelfth day of Mā gha, prepared a heap of salt, she presented a prepared bed to her preceptor. They (i.e. the hunter and his wife) saw her (i.e. Anań gavatī ) and thought thus:

24b-27a. 'What is to be done with these lotuses? It is better to adorn Vishnu (with them).' O king, thus devotion was produced in (the minds of) that couple. At that time, having worshipped Vishnu and the heap of salt, the bed was worshipped by them with heaps of flowers on all sides. Anań gavatī, who was pleased, ordered (her servants) to give them three hundred (measures) of corn and three palas of gold.

27b-29. Due to their very good nature they did not accept them. Then, O king, Anań gavatī again brought food of four kinds1 and told them to eat it. The couple refused that also (and told her: ) 'O you of a beautiful face, we shall eat it tomorrow. Due to contact with you we are observing this fast. Let it lead (us) to good fortune.

30. O you good lady of a firm vow, we are the most sinful (persons) from our birth. Let there be a portion of religious merit for us due to our association with you in this your house.'

31-33. Thus due to their association with her they kept awake (during the night). In the morning she presented with devotion the bed with the heap of salt and a hamleflo her preceptor" and presented twelve cows endowed with gold and with garments and ornaments to brā hmanas and fed them with friends and allies and blind and helpless persons. She also dismissed the couple of hunters honouring them.

34-37. Along with his wife that hunter was born as you, the lord of kings. O king, due to your offering that heap of lotuses and worshipping Vishnu, and due to the greatness of the truth (you always spoke) and due to that greedless penance of you, the four-faced one (i.e. Brahma) was pleased with you whose sins had perished and gave you that lotus-dwelling (i.e. the aeroplane) and (said to you): 'Resort to (i.e. take) this Puskara (plane). O lord of kings, taking to proper disposition observe this mighty vow of Dvā daś i; you will certainly attain salvation.'

38-39. Saying this much, the sage vanished there (only); and king Puskaravā hana did as (he was) told. O king, he who practises this, has his vow uninterrupted, as after some time twelve dvā daś ī s (will be over).

40-43. O king, one should give presents to brā hmanas according to one's capacity; a village should be given to the

1. Caturvidham annam: Food is, in fact, said to be of five, and not four, types. The five types of food are: (1) Bhaksya — to be chewed and then eaten, as bread. (2) Bhojya — to be eaten without chewing, as rice. (3) Gosya — to be sucked, as a mango. (4) Lehya — to be licked, as thin luquid condiments. (5) Peya — to be drunk, as milk.

seniormost brā hmana; an excellent(piece of) land should be given to a brā hmana of the middle order; gold should be given to the juniormost brā hmana. This is laid down as to the presents (to be offered). The first one belongs to god Brahma, the second one to Vishnu and the third one to Rudra. The three gods reside in the three (brā hmanas). Thus he who reads or hears, with devotion, this (account) destroying the sins of people, or he, who thinks about it, lives in the world of gods for as many years as there is hair (on the body). Now I shall tell (you) the best of the vows.

44-47. It is told by that Rudra and destroys great sins. Eating only at night for a year, one should give, along with a cow, a golden disc and trident and garments to a brā hmana having a family. One who performs this religious vow, delights in the world of Ś iva. This alone is the vow destroying great sins; one who, eating only once (a day) offers a cow with a bull (or) gives a cow made of Sheshamum goes to the place of Ś iva. This is called the vow of Rudra; it destroys great sins.

48-49. He, who, eating every alternate night, offers at the end of a year a golden lotus along with a pot (full) of sugar and (a cow) with a bull attains the affluence of Vishnu; this is said to be Nlla-vrata. A man should avoid smearing the body with unctuous substances during the (period of) four months beginning with Ā sā dha.

50. He should offer articles of food (to a brā hmana). He goes to the abode of Vishnu. The vow is called Priti-vrata as it delights the people.

51-52. Avoiding, in the month of Caitra, (eating) curds, milk, ghee and sugar, one, after having honoured a brā hmana-couple. should offer them, saying 'May Gauri be pleased with me', fine garments with a pot of juice. This is Gauri-vrata (vow in honour of Gauri), and gives (i.e. takes one to) the world of Bhavā nī.

53-55a. He, who, eating only at night on the thirteenth day of Pausa etc., gives to a brā hmana, a golden aś oka with a sugarcane ten fingers in length and with a garment saying, 'May Pradyumna be pleased', becomes, O king, free from grief having lived in the city of Vishnu for a Kalpa. This is called Kā ma-vrata; it always destroys grief.

55b-57a. He, who, avoids eating fruits during the vow practised in Asā dha etc., and after the four months are over, offers, on the full-moon day of Kā rtika, a golden pitcher with ghee and jaggery, obtains (i.e. goes to) Shiva's world. This is called the vow qf Ś iva.

57b-59a. He who avoids the (use of) flowers in the winter season (comprising the months of Mā rgaś ī rsa and Pausa) encompassed by (i.e. along with)the cold season (comprising of the months of Mā gha and Phā lguna) and offers, according to his capacity, three golden flowers (to a brā hmana) at an auspicious time (i.e. when it is not the time of Saturn1) saying 'May Ś iva and Vishnu be pleased with me', goes, by making such offerings to the highest position. This is called Saumya-vrata.

59b-61a. He, who, on the third day of Phā lguna etc., avoids (eating) salt, and, at the end of a year, having honoured a brā hmana-couple, gives to them, saying, 'May Bhavā nī be pleased', a bed and a furnished house, lives for a Kalpa in the world of Gaurī. This is called Saubhā gya-vrata.

61b-63a. He who, observing silence in the evenings, gives at the end of a year, a pitcher full of ghee, a pair of garments, Sheshamum, and a bell to a brā hmana, goes to the world of Sarasvatī, from which return is difficult. This (vow) is called Sā rasvata, which gives form and learning.

63b-65a. A man, worshipping Laksmī on the fifth day, should observe a fast. At the end of a year, he should present a golden lotus with a cow (to a brā hmana). He goes to the position of Vishnu and has wealth in every existence. This is Lakshmi-vrata which destroys grief.

65b-67a. Besmearing (with sandal the image of) Ś iva before that of Vishnu, a cow and a water-pitcher should be given upto a year. (He who does this) would become a king for a myriad existences, and then would go to Shiva's city. This is called Ā yurvrata, which gives (i.e. fulfils) all desires.

67b-69. A man, free from jealousy, saluting with concentrated mind the Aś vattha tree, the Sun and the Ganges, should eat once a day for one year. At the end of the vow he should honour a brā hmana-couple along with three cows. He should (also) give a golden tree. He would obtain the fruit of a horse-sacrifice. This vow is called Kī rti-vrata; and gives the fruit viz. prosperity and fame.

1. Kā laveli: The time of Saturn i.e. a particular time of the day (half a watch everyday) at which any religious act is improper.

70-74. Besmearing Shiva or Vishnu with ghee and making a circle with cow-dung along with rice (used for sacred purposes) and flowers, one should give (a brā hmana) a golden lotus along with Sheshamum and a cow and a pike having the length of eight fingers at the end of a year. He is honoured in Shiva's world. He should also have the singing of Sā mans. This is called Sā mavrata in the world. On the ninth day, having eaten once a day, and having fed, according to his capacity, maidens, he should give (them) gold, bodices and garments. He should (also) give a golden lion to a brā hmana; he would go to Shiva's position. For a hundred million years he would be handsome and would not be deieated by his enemies. This is called Vira-vrata, and it gives happiness to men.

75-78. Being kind, he should offer water (to the needy) for four months beginning with Caitra. At the end of the vow he should give a ruby along with food and garments, so also a pot (full) of Sheshamum and gold (to a brā hmana). He is honoured in Brahma's world; and at the end of a Kalpa gets a prosperous birth (i.e. is born in a prosperous family). This is called Ā nanda-vrata. Having bathed the lord with five sweet things1 (viz. milk, sugar, ghee, curds and honey) for one year, he should give a cow with the five sweet things and a conch to a brā hmana at the end of the year; he goes to the position of Ś arhkara. At the end of a Kalpa, he becomes a king. This is known as Dhrti-vrata.

79-81. A man should avoid flesh (-eating) and should give a cow and a golden deer at the end of the vow. He gets the fruit of a horse-sacrifice. This is called Ahimsā vrata. At the end of a Kalpa he would become a king. Having got up at day-break, and having bathed, he should worship a (brā hmana-) couple, and feed the couple, according to his capacity, along with (i.e. give it) flowers, garments and ornaments. He would live in the Sun's world for a Kalpa. This is known as Sū rya-vrata.

1. Pañ cā mrta: The collection of five sweet things used in worshipping deities: milk, sugar, ghee, curds and honey.

82-88a. In the four months beginning with Asā dha, a man should bathe in the morning. Having given food to abrā hmana, he should give a cow (to a brā hmana) on the full-moon day of Kā rtika. He goes to the position of Vishnu. This is called Vaisnavavrata. A man should avoid from one year to another (i.e. for one year) flowers and ghee; and at the end of it should give flowers, food, ghee with a cow and rice boiled in milk and mixed with ghee, to a brā hmana; he goes to Shiva's position; this is called Ś ila-vrata; it gives good character and health. A man who observes the vow of (drinking) milk (only) on the fifteenth day (of every month) and at the end of the year offers a ś rā ddha and gives five milch-cows, tawny clothes with water-pitchers, goes to the position of Vishnu; and would liberate a hundred ancestors, at the end of a Kalpa, O king of kings. This is known as Pitr-vrata.

88b-90a. He, who offers an evening lamp with ghee, should avoid oil. At the end of the year he should present a golden lamp, a disc and a golden pike and a pair of garments to a brā hmana. Such a man becomes lustrous; he obtains the Rudra-world. This is known as the Dipti-vrata.

90b-92a. (A man) having drunk cow's urine and (eaten) food prepared from barley1 on the third day of Kā rtika etc., should eat only at night for one year and offer a cow (to a (brā hmana). For one Kalpa he would reside in the world of Gauri and after that would become a king on the earth. This is known as Rudra-vrata and always leads to good fortune.

92b-98a. He who avoids besmearing (his body) with sandal paste (etc.) for four months, and gives (a kind of perfume called) Ś ukti, sandal-paste and sacred rice grains and a couple of white garments to a brā hmana goes to the position of Varuna. This is called Drdha-vrata. He who avoids (using) flowers and salt in Vaiś ā kha and presents a cow (to a brā hmana), stays for a Kalpa at the place of Vishnu and becomes a king on the earth. This is said to be Ś ā nti-vrata; it gives fame and gives the fruit of (i.e. satisfies) one's desires. He, who, having made a golden egg (representing the egg of) Brahman, gives it along with a heap of Sheshamum with ghee to someone else, and having gratified a brā hmana and having honoured a brā hmana-couplewith flowers, garments and ornaments according to his capacity (saying) 'May the world-soul be pleased', gives (gold) weighing more than three palas1 (to a brā hmana) goes to Brahman not to be born again. This is called Brahma-vrata. It gives men the fruit viz. eternal bliss.

1. Tavaka: Food prepared from barley.

98b-101a. He who gives a pregnant cow with a low sound and remains for a day observing the vow of milk (i.e. subsisting on milk) goes to the highest position. This is called Suvrata, (having done which) rebirth is not easy. He who, remaining for three days observing the vow of milk, gives according to his capacity a golden (representation) of the desire-yielding tree weighing more than a pala along with rice measuring a prastha2 goes to the position of Brahma. This is known as Bhlma-vrata.

101b-104. He, who, observing fast for a month gives a beautiful cow to a brā hmana, goes to Vishnu's position. This is called Bhima-vrata. He who fashioning a golden image of the earth weighing more than twenty palas gives it (to a brā hmana) and observes the vow of milk (i.e. subsists on milk) for a day is honoured in the world of Rudra. This is said to be the giver of wealth for the next seven hundred kalpas. He who gives a cow made of jaggery on the third day in the month of Mā gha or Caitra is honoured in the world of Gaurī.

105-108. This Guda-vrata iscalledMahā -vrata and gives great joy. He, who observes fast for a fortnight and gives a couple of tawny cows to a brā hmana, being honoured by gods and demons obtains the world of Brahma, and becomes a sovereign king at the end of a Kalpa. This is called Prabhā -vrata. He who eats once a day for one year and gives a pitcher of water with food (to a brā hmana) lives for one Kalpa in the world of Ś iva. This is known a Prā pti-vrata. He who eats (only) at night on the eighth day (of every month) and gives a cow to a brā hmana at the end of a year goes to the city of Indra. This is said to be Sugati-vrata.

1. Pala: A parucmar weight equal to four karsas. A karsa is equal to sixteen mā sas. A mā sa is said to be equal to ten guñ jas.

2. Prastha: A particular measure of the capacity equal to thirtytwo palas.

109-110a. He who gives fuel to a brā hmana during four seasons like the rainyseason, and gives ghee and cow to a brā hmana, goes, after death, to the highest Brahman. This is known as Vaiś oā nara-vrata. It destroys all sins.

11 Ob-113. He, who, eating only at night on the eleventh day of a month and having made a golden disc, offers it (to a brā hmana) at the end of the year, obtains Vishnu's position. This is said to be Krishna-vrata, which secures for him kingdom. One who drinks milk (only) and gives a couple of cows to a brā hmana, would live, for a Kalpa, in the world of Laksmī. This is known as Devi-vrata. He who eats (only) at night on the seventh day of a month and gives a milch-cow (to a brā hmana) at the end (of the vow) obtains the world of the Sun. This is said to be Bhā nu-vrata.

114-116a. Eating (only) at night on the fourth day of (every month) during winter, one should (at the end of the vow), give a couple of cows (to a brā hmana). This is Vainā yaka-vrata, giving (i.e. taking one to) the world of Ś iva. One should avoid (eating) bitter gourds for four months and give golden ones along with a couple of cows to a brā hmana at the end of a sacrifice. This is called Saura-vrata. It gives the fruit (of going to) the world of the Sun.

116b-U9. O king, a man, who observes fast on the twelfth day and worships, according to his capacity, brā hmanas with a cow, garments and gold, obtains the highest position. This is known as Vishnu-vrata. He who eats (only) at night on the fourteenth day (of every month) and gives, at the end of the year, a couple of cows (to a brā hmana), goes to Shiva's position. This is known as Tryambaka-vrata. Having observed fast for seven days one should give a pitcher (full) of ghee to a brā hmana. This is called Varavrata. It gives the fruit of (going to) the world of Brahma.

120-122. One, who, having gone to Kā ś ī, gives a milch-cow (to a brā hmana), would live in the world of Indra for a Kalpa. This is known as Mantra-vrata. One, who, having avoided perfumes used to scent the mouth, 1 gives, at the end of the year, a cow (to a brā hmana), goes to the world of Varuna. This is called Varuna-vrata. He who (i.e. one) should observe the Cā ndrā yana1 (vow); should present a golden (image of) the Moon. This is called Candra-vrata which gives (i.e. leads one to) the world of the Moon.

1. Mukhavā sa: A perfume used to scent the mouth.

123-124. He who observes the Pañ catapas2 vow in (the month of) Jyestha and at the end (of the vow) offers a golden (image of a) cow (to a brā hmana) on the eighth or the fourteenth day goes to heaven. This is known as Rudra-vrata. One should once observe a sacred rule (i.e. a vow) on the third (of a month) in a Ś iva-temple. One, who, at the end of it, offers a cow (to a brā hmana) goes to the (world of Ś iva); this is called Bhavā ni-vrata.

125. He, who, with wet clothes on his person on the night (s) of (the month of) Mā gha, gives a cow (to a brā hmana) on the seventh day, having lived for a thousand Kalpas in heaven, would become a king on the earth. (This is called) Pavana-vrata.

126. A man, having observed fast for three days should give an auspicious house (to a brā hmana) on the full-moon day of Phā lguna. He obtains the world of Aditya. This is known as Dhā ma-vrata.

12 7-130a. He, who, observing a fast, worships a (brā hmana) couple by giving them ornaments gets eternal bliss. This is said to be Moksa-vrata. He, who having offered on the second of the bright half a pot (full) of salt in (honour of) the Moon and a cow at the end of the vow (to a brā hmana) goes to the abode of Ś iva. O lord of kings, he also, who, (during the vow) gives a bell-metal (-vessel) with a garment and presents, and also a cow at the end (of the vow), goes to Shiva's abode; and at the end of a Kalpa becomes a king of kings. This is called Soma-vrata.

130b-132. He, who eats (only) once on the first (of every fortnight) and offers fruits (to a brā hmana) at the end (of the vow), goes to the position of Vaiś vā nara; this is known as Ś ikhi-vrata. He, who, observing a fast, gives a golden chariot with the horses, weighing more than two palas (to a brā hmana), would live in heaven for a hundred Kalpas; and at the end of that (period) would become a king of kings; this is known as Aś va-vrata.

1. Cā ndrā yajia: A religious observance of expiatory penance regulated by the waxing and waning of the moon. In it the daily quality of food, which consists of fifteen mouthfuls at the full moon, is reduced by one mouthful everyday during the dark fortnight till it is zero at the new moon, and is increased in like manner during the bright fortnight.

2. Pañ catapas: An ascetic who in summer practices penance sitting in the middle of the four fires with the sun burning right over his head.

133-135. Similarly he, who gives a golden chariot with two elephants (to a brā hmana), would live in the Satyaloka for a thousand Kalpas; and having come to (i.e. being born on) the earth he would become a king; this is known as Kari-vrata. Eating once only on the tenth of a month and giving ten cows at the end of the vow, one should give a golden lamp (to a brā hmana); one would be the lord of the universe. This is called Viś oa-vrata which destroys great sins.

136-140. He, who offers a daughter (in marriage) on the full-moon day of Kā rtika at Puskara, having earned twentyone-fold religious merit, goes to the world of Brahma; there is no greater gift than offering a daughter. Presents should be duly given to a brā hmana specially at Puskara, and especially on the full-moon day of Kā rtika. Such people (i.e. who give such gifts) will get (i.e. go to) an inexhaustible world (and live there) till universal deluge. He, who recites and listens to the best vow (called) Sasthivrata, (he) too becomes the lord of Gandharvas for a hundred Manvantaras (ages of Manu).

141-145. O you descendant of the Bharata-family, I have told you this auspicious vow good for all mankind. If you desire to hear, O king of kings, listen to these duties of the brā hmana-caste. Cleanliness and purity of mind cannot take place without a bath. Therefore, a bath is first laid down for the purification of the mind. He should bathe with water that is either not drawn out (i.e. of a lake etc.) or drawn out. (Such) a wise man knowing the original sacred texts should prepare a holy place with (the recitation of) an original sacred text. The original sacred text that is laid down is: 'Salutation to Nā rā yana'. He, the wise one, with darbhas in his hand, who has duly sipped water, who is restrained and pure, having prepared a quadrangular measuring four hands, should invoke Gań gā with these basic texts:

146-149. 'You have sprung from the feet of Vishnu, you are (therefore) Vaisnavī (of Vishnu). Vishnu is your deity; therefore, protect us from the sin upto (i.e. from) birth and (upto) death. Vā yu said that there are three crores and a half sacred places; these (holy places), O Jā hnavī, belong to you in the heaven, on the earth and in the intermediate region between heaven and earth. Among the gods your name is (i.e. you are known as) Nandinī and Nalinī. You are also (known as) Daksā, Prthvī, Ś ubhagā, Viś vakā yā, Ś ivā and Sī tā, Vidyā dharī, Suprasannā and Lokaprasā dinī, Kshemā, Jā hnavī, and also Ś ā ntā and Ś ā ntipradā yinī.'

150-151. One should recite these holy names at the time of bathing. Then Ganges, moving (i.e. flowing) along the three paths (viz. the sky, earth and the lower world) is near. Having muttered (the names) seven times, one should put the water, held in the cavity of his hands, on one's head three, four, five or seven times.

152-154a. Having similarly invoked (the earth) duly, one should bathe with clay (besmeared on one's body): 'O you earth, you clay, who are trodden over by horses, chariots and by Vishnu, remove my sin — the wicked deed — I did. You were drawn up (out of the ocean) by Krishna (i.e. Vishnu) having a hundred arms. (My), salutation to you who are the origin of all the people, O you of a good vow!

154b-155. Having thus (i.e. with this sacred text) taken bath, then having duly sipped water after that, one should stand up and having put on a couple of pure white garments one should present libations of water to the manes of his deceased ancestors for satisfying the three worlds.

156-158. First one should gratify Brahma (by offering water and then) Vishnu, Rudra and Prajā patis: 'I offer this (libation of) water to satisfy the gods, Yaksas, also Nā gas, Gandharvas and the hosts of the celestial nymphs, the cruel serpents, Suparnas, trees like the citron tree, Vidyā dharas, Jaladharas, also those who can move in the sky, and those beings who are without any support and those whoare engaged in sinful acts.'

159-160. With the investiture of the sacred thread (i.e. wearing the sacred thread over the left shoulder) one should gratify (i.e. offer libation of water) to gods; then one should wear the sacred thread round one's neck (like a garland)1 and should offer libations of water with devotion to human beings, sons of sages and sages also. (The sages are: ) Sanaka and Sananda and the third is Sanā tana; also Kapila and Asuri and Vodhrand Pañ caś ikha.

161-164. (One should say: ) 'May all the sages be always pleased with the water offered by me.' With sacred rice grains and water he should make offerings to all the divine and brahmanic sages (like) Marici, Atri, Ań giras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Pracetas, Vasishtha, Bhrigu and Nā rada. Then wearing the sacred thread over the right shoulder and keeping the right knee on the ground, he should devoutly gratify with water, Sheshamum and sandal paste (the sages, viz.) Agnisvā ttas2 (manes of brā hmanas), Havishmantas3 (sons of Ań giras), Osmapas, Sukā lins4 (manes of Ś ū dras and sons of Vasishtha), Barhisads (sons of Atri and manes of demons, Yaksasetc.) and Ajyapas5 (sons of Pulastya).

165-166. Then one, with darbhas in one's hand, should duly offer libations of water to one's own manes. Having, with devotion and according to proper rites, offered libations of water to one's manes, (uttering) their names and appellations and the maternal grandfathers and others, one should recite this basic sacred text: 'May they who were my relatives in this existence and also may they who were my relatives in a past existence, be completely satisfied, and also those desiring water.'

167-170a. Having duly sipped water one should properly draw a lotus in front; (and) uttering the names of the Sun, one should carefully offer oblations with sacred rice grains, flowers, Sheshamum and reddish sandal paste: 'My salutation to (the Sun) of a universal form; my salutation to (the Sun) of the form of Vishnu; my salutation to all gods; O Bhā skara, be pleased with me; O Divā kara, my salutation to you; O Prabhā kara, my salutation to you.'

1. Nivī tt: Wearing the sacred thread, round the neck, making it hang down like a garland.

2. Agnisvā ttas: Are manes of gods, and are said to be the sons of Marici.

3. Havismantas: Sons of Ań giras.

4. Sukā lins: Manes of ś ū dras and sons of Vasishtha.

5. Ā jyapas: Are sons of Pulastya.

170b-172. Having thus (that is, with the utterance of this sacred text) saluted the Sun and gone round (the lotus) three times, one should see and touch a brā hmana, a cow and gold and then go home. One should then worship the holy image (of the deity) in one's house. Then one should after feeding the brā hmanas eat meal. By (performing) this rite all the sages attain perfection.

 

CHAPTER TWENTYONE

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