Mahābhārata

M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said In which is superior efficacy, conciliation or Gifts? Tell me, O chief of Bharata's race, which of these two is superior in efficacy.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Some become pleased by Conciliation, while others are pleased by Gifts. Every man, according to his own nature, likes the one or the other.

M. N. Dutt: Listen to me, O king, as I explain to you the merits of Conciliation, O chief of Bharata's race so that the most furious creatures may be cooled down by it.

M. N. Dutt: Regarding it is cited the ancient narrative of how a Brahmana who had been seized in the forest by a Rakshasa, was freed.

M. N. Dutt: A certain Brahmana, gifted with eloquence and intelligence fell into distress, for he was seized in a lone forest by a Rakshasa who wished to feed on him.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana gifted as he was with understanding and learning was not at all moved. Without allowing himself to be stupefied at the sight of that terrible cannibal, he resolved to apply Conciliation and see its effect on the Rakshasa.

M. N. Dutt: Respectfully saluting the Brahmana with words, the Rakshasa put to him this question: You shall escape, but tell me why I am so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Reflecting for a short time, the Brahmana accepted the question of the Rakshasa and replied in the following well spoken words.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahman. said Living in a place distant from your house, moving in a sphere that is not your own, and deprived of the company of your friends and kinsmen, you are enjoying vast riches. It is, therefore, that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Indeed, O Rakshasa, your friends thought welltreated by you are still not welldisposed towards you on account of their own vicious nature. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: You are gifted with merit and wisdom and a wellcontrolled soul. Yet it is your lot to see others who have merit and wisdom honoured in preference to yourself. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Persons having riches much greater than yours but inferior to you in merit, are indeed, disregarding you. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Though distressed for want of the means of support yet you are actuated by the greatness of your mind to disregard such means as are open to you for getting your sustenance. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: On account of your virtuous nature you had deprived yourself for doing good to another. This person, O righteous Rakshasa, considers you deceived and defeated. It is for this that you are so pale and lean,

M. N. Dutt: I think you are grieving for those persons who with souls possessed by lust and anger, are suffering inisery in this world. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Though wise, you are ridiculed by others who are entirely destitute of it. Persons of wicked conduct are vilifying you. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Indeed some enemy of yours, with a friendly tongue, coming to you behaved at first like a pious man and then has left you, beguiling you like a knave. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: You are well conversant with the course of world's affairs. You are well skilled in all mysteries. You are gifted with power. Those who know you to be such do not yet respect and praise you. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Staying in the midst of bad men engaged together in some business, you had discoursed to them removing their doubts. Still they did not admit your superior merits. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Indeed though destitute of riches and intelligence and Vedic learning you wish yet, with the help of your energy alonc, to accomplish something great. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: It appears that although you are resolved to practise severe austerities by retiring into the forest, yet your kinsmen are not favourably disposed towards this project of yours. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Some rich neighbour of yours, endued with youth and handsome features, covets your dear wife. It is for this that you aic so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: The words spoken by you, even when excellent in the midst of rich men, are not regarded by them as wise or well timed. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Some dear kinsman of yours, shorn of intelligence though repeatedly instructed in the scriptures has become angry. You have not been able to pacify him. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Indeed somebody, having first set you to the accomplishment of some object desirable to you, is now trying to deprive you of the fruit thereof. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Though possessed of excellent qualities and adored by all on that account, you are yet considered by your kinsmen as adored for their sakc and not for your own. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Indeed, through shame you are unable to give out some purpose in your heart, moved also by the inevitable delay that will take place in its accomplishment. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Indeed, you wish with the help of your intelligence, to control various persons with various kinds of understandings and inclinations. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Shorn of learning without courage, and without much riches you seek such fame as is won by knowledge and prowess and gifts. Indeed, it is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: You have not been able to get something which you have long been seeking for. Or, what you try to do is sought to be undone by soinebody else. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Indeed without being able to see any fault on your part, you have been cursed by somebody. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Having no wealth and accomplishments you try in vain to remove the grief of your friends and the sorrows of sorrowing men. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing virtuous persons living like householders, unrighteous persons living according to the forest mode, and liberated persons attached to domesticity and fixed abodes, you have become so pale and lean.

Corresponding verse not found in M. N. Dutt's version.

M. N. Dutt: Indeed, your acts connected with Virtue. Profit, and Pleasure, as also the well-time words spoken by you do not produce fruit. It is for this that you are so pale and lean,

M. N. Dutt: Though gifted with wisdom, yet desirous of living, you live with wealth obtained by you in gift from somebody of evil conduct. It is for this that you are pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing sinful persons multiplying on every side and virtue languishing, you are filled with grief. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Urged by them you seek to please all your friends even when they are quarrelling and opposing one another. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Seeing persons gifted with Vedic learning engaged in improper deeds, and learned persons unable to keep their senses under control, you are filled with grief. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Thus praised the Rakshasa adored that learned Brahmana in return, and making him his friend and bestowing sufficient riches upon himn in gift, sent him away. Seeing persons gifted with Vedic learning engaged in improper deeds, and learned persons unable to keep their senses under control, you are filled with grief. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.

M. N. Dutt: Thus praised the Rakshasa adored that learned Brahmana in return, and making him his friend and bestowing sufficient riches upon himn in gift, sent him away.

M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said Tell me, O grandfather, how should a poor inan, desirous of achieving his own behoof, act after having acquired the status of humanity and come into this region of acts that is so difficult to acquire.

M. N. Dutt: Tell me also what is the best of all gifts, and what should be given under what circumstances? Tell me, O son of Ganga, who are truly worthy of honour and adoration. You should describe these mysteries to us.

M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Thus accosted by that famous king, viz., the son of Pandu, Bhishma explained to that king these great mysteries about duty.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Listen to me with rapt attention, O king, as I explain to you, O Bharata, these mysteries of duties as the holy Vyasa had explained them to me formerly.

M. N. Dutt: This subject is a mystery to the very celestials, O king. Yama of pure deeds, with the help of vows well observed and Yoga meditation, had acquired the knowledge of these mysteries as the high fruits of his penances.

M. N. Dutt: What pleases deity, what pleases the departed manes, the Rishis, the companions of Mahadeva, the goddess Shri Chitragupta, and the powerful Elephants which rule the cardinal points of the compass, what forms the religion of the Rishis, the religion viz., which has many mysteries and which yields high fruits, the merits of what are called great gifts, and the merits of all the sacrifices he who knows these, O sinless one, and knowing acts according to his knowledge, becomes freed from stains if he has stains and acquires the inerits indicated.

M. N. Dutt: One oilman is equal to ten butchers. Equal to ten oilmen is one drinker of alcohol. Equal to ten drinkers of alcohol is one harlot. Equal to ten harlots is a single king.

M. N. Dutt: A great king is said to be equal to half of these all. Hence, one should not accept gifts from these. On the other hand, one should attend to the science, which is sacred and which has virtue for its marks, of the threefold objects of life. Amongst these, Wealth and Pleasure are naturally attractive. Hence one should, with rapt attention, listen to the sacred expositions of Religion, for the fruits of listening to the mysteries of Religion are very great. One should certainly hear every subject bearing on Religion as ordained by the celestials themselves.

M. N. Dutt: In it is contained the ritual about the Shraddha in which have been declared the mysteries of the departed Manes. The mysteries about the deities have also been explained there.

M. N. Dutt: It contains the duties and practices, productive of great merit, of the Rishis also, together with the mysteries attaching to them. It contains an exposition of the merits of great sacrifices and all kinds of gifts.

M. N. Dutt: Those men who always read the scriptures about these subjects, those who bear them properly in their mind, and he who, having listened to them, follows them in practice, are all considered to be as holy and sinless as the powerful Narayana himself.

M. N. Dutt: The merits of the gift of kine, those that belong to the performance of ablutions in sacred waters, those that are acquired by the celebration of sacrifices, all these are acquired by that man who treats guests with respect.

M. N. Dutt: They who listen to these scriptures, they who are gifted with faith and they who have a pure heart, it is well known conquer many regions of felicity. Those pious men who are gifted with faith, become cleansed of all since and no sin can touch them. Such men always increase in virtue and succeed in attaining to the celestial region.

M. N. Dutt: Once on a time a celestial messenger, coming to the court of Indra of his own accord, but remaining invisible, addressed the king of the deities in these words:

M. N. Dutt: At the command of Ashvini Kumars (the celestial physicians) and who are gifted with every desirable quality, I have come to this place where I see human beings the departed Manes and the celestials assembled together.

M. N. Dutt: Why, indeed, is sexual intercourse interdicted for the man who performs a Shraddha and for him also who eats at a Shraddha? Why are three rice balls offered separately at a Shraddha?

M. N. Dutt: To whom should the first of those balls be offered? To whom should the second one be offered? And whose has it been said is the third or the remaining one? I wish to know all this!

M. N. Dutt: After the celestial messenger had said these words connected with virtue and duty, the celestials who were seated towards the east and the departed Manes also, praising that ranger of the sky, began as follows:

M. N. Dutt: The Pitris said Welcome are you and blessings upon you! Do you listen, O best of all rangers of the sky! The question you have put is a high one and fraught with deep import.

M. N. Dutt: The departed Manes of that man who indulges in sexual intercourse on the day he performs a Shraddha or eats at a Shraddha, have to lie for a whole month on his vital seed.

M. N. Dutt: We shall explain the classification of the riccballs offered at a Shraddha, The first ricehall should be thought of as being thrown into the waters.

M. N. Dutt: The second ball should be given to one of the wives to eat. The third ball should be thrown into the burning fire.

M. N. Dutt: This is the ordinance about the Shraddha. This is the ordinance of the rites of religion. The Pitris of that man who acts according to this ordinance become pleased with him and remain always cheerful. The progeny of such a man increases and he always commands endless riches.

M. N. Dutt: The Celestial Messenger said You have explained the division of the ricc balls and their consignment one after another to the three, together with the reasons thereof.

M. N. Dutt: Whom does that riceball which is thrown into the waters reach? How does it , by being so thrown please the deities, and how does it rescue the departed Manes?

M. N. Dutt: The second ball is eaten by the wife. That has been laid down in the ordinance. How do the Pitris of that man become the eaters thereof?

M. N. Dutt: The last ball goes into the burning fire. How does that ball succeed in finding its way to you, or who is he to whom it goes?

M. N. Dutt: I wish to hear this, that is, what are the ends attained by the balls offered at Shraddhas when thus disposed of by being thrown into the waters, given to the wife, and thrown into the burning fire.

M. N. Dutt: The Pitris said The question which you have asked is of deep import. It involves a mystery and is wonderful. We have been highly pleased with you, O rarger of the sky.

M. N. Dutt: The very celestials and the Munis applaud acts done in honour of the departed Manes. Even they do not know what the certain conclusions are of the ordinances about the acts done in honour of the Pitris.

M. N. Dutt: Excepting the great, immortal and excellent Markandeya, that learned Brahmana of great fame, who is ever devoted to the Pitris, none amongst them is conversant with the mysteries of the ordinances about the Pitris.

M. N. Dutt: Having heard from the holy Vyasa what the end is of the three riceballs offered at the Shraddha, as explained by the Pitris themselves in reply to the question of the celestial messenger, I shall explain the same to you. Do you hear, o king, what the conclusions are about the ordinances about the Shraddha.

M. N. Dutt: Listen with attention, O Bharata, to me as I explain what the end is of the three rice balls. That rice ball which goes into water is considered as pleasing the deity of the Moon.

M. N. Dutt: That deity being pleased, O you of great intelligence gratifies in return the other deities and the Pitris also with them. It has bean laid down that the second riceball should be eaten by the wife.

M. N. Dutt: The Pitris, who always wish for progeny, bestow children on the woman of the house. Listen now to me as I tell you what becomes of the rice ball that is thrown into the burning fire.

M. N. Dutt: With that ball the Pitris are pleased, and as the result thereof, grant the fruition of all desires to the person offering it. I have thus told you everything about the end of the three riceballs offered at the Shraddha and consigned to the three (viz. water, the spouse and the fire.)

M. N. Dutt: That Brahmana who becomes the priest at a Shraddha forins himself by that deed, the Pitri of the person performing ine Shraddha. Hence he should abstain that day from sexual intercourse with even his own wife.

M. N. Dutt: O best of all rangers of the sky, the man who eats at a Shraddha should remain pure for that day. By acting otherwise one surely commits the sin I have indicated. It cannot be otherwise.

M. N. Dutt: Hence, the Brahmana who is invited to a Shraddha for eating the offerings should eat them after purifying himself by a bath and remain pious for that day by abstaining form every kind of injury or evil. The progeny of such a person multiplies and he also who feeds him gets the same reward.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said After the Pitris had said so, a Rishi of austere penances, named Vidyutprabha, whose form was effulgent like the Sun spoke.

M. N. Dutt: Having heard those mysteries of religion as explained by che Pitris, he addressed Shakra, saying, Stupefied by folly, men kill numerous creatures born in the intermediate orders, such as worms, ants, snakes, sheep, deer and birds. They commit a great sin by these acts. What, however, is the remedy?

M. N. Dutt: When this question was asked, all the gods and Rishis having penances for wealth and the highly blessed Pitris, praised that ascetic.

M. N. Dutt: Shakra said Thinking in one's mind of Kurukshetra and Gaya and Ganga and Prabhasa and the lakes of Pushkara, one should dip his head in a piece of water.

M. N. Dutt: By so doing he becomes purged off of all his sins like the Moon freed from Rahu. He should thus bathe for three days successively and then fast for every day.

M. N. Dutt: Besides this, he should touch (After bathing) the back of a cow and bow his head to her tail. Vidutprabha, after this, once more addressing Vasava said, I shall describe a rite that is more subtle. Listen to me, O you of a hundred sacrifices.

M. N. Dutt: Rubbed with the astringent powder of the hanging roots of the banian and anointed with the oil of Priyangu, one should eat the Shashtika paddy mixed with milk. By so doing he becomes purged off all his sins.

M. N. Dutt: Listen now to another mystery unknown to many but which was discovered by the Rishis with the help of meditation. I heard it from Brihaspati while he recited it before Mahadeva.

M. N. Dutt: O king of the celestials do you hear it with Rudra in your company, O lord of Shachi. If a person, ascending a mountain stands there on one foot, with arms upraised and joined together and abstaining from food, looks at a burning fire, he acquires the merits of severe penances and obtains the rewards of fasts.

M. N. Dutt: Heated by the rays of the Sun, he becomes purged off all his sins. One who acts thus in both the summer and the winter seasons becomes freed from every sin.

M. N. Dutt: Purged off of every sin one acquires a splendour of complexion for all time. Such a man burns with energy like the Sun or shines in beauty like the Moon.

M. N. Dutt: After this, the king of the celestials viz., he of a hundred sacrifices, seated in the midst of the gods then sweetly addressed Brihaspati, with these excellent words:

M. N. Dutt: O Holy One, do you describe those mysteries of religion which are fraught with happiness to human beings, and what the faults are which they commit, together with the mysteries of them.

M. N. Dutt: Brihaspati said They who pass urine, facing the sun, they who do not show respect for the wind, they who do not pour libations on the burning fire, they who milk a cow whose calf is very young, actuated by the desire of obtaining from her as much milk as possible, commit many sins. I shall describe what those faults are, O lord of Shachi, Do you hear me.

M. N. Dutt: The Sun, Wind, the carrier of sacrificial oblations, O Vasava, and kine who are the mothers of all creatures, were created by the self-create himself, for rescuing all the worlds, O Shakra. These are the deities of human beings. Listen all the conclusions of religion.

M. N. Dutt: Those wicked men and wicked women who pass urine facing the Sun, live in great infamy for eighty six years.

M. N. Dutt: That man, O Shakra, who cherishes no respect for the wind, gets children that come out prematurely from the womb of his wife. These men who do not pour libations on the burning fire, find that the fire, when they do light it up for such rites as they wish to perform refuses to eat their libations.

M. N. Dutt: Those men who drink the milk of kire whose calves are very young, never get children for perpetuating their races.

M. N. Dutt: Such men see their children die and their families shrink. These are consequences of the acts referred to as observed by twice born persons, venerable for age in their respective families.

M. N. Dutt: Hence, one should always avoid that which has been interdicted and do only that which has been directed to be done, if one is desirous of securing his prosperity. This that I say to you is very true.

M. N. Dutt: After the celestial preceptor had said this the highly blessed celestials, with the Maruts, and the highly blessed Rishis questioned the departed Manes saying, You Pitris with what acts of human beings, who are generally gifted with little understandings, do you become pleased? What gifts made in course of such rites as are performed for improving the position of deceased persons in the other world become inexhaustible in efficacy?

M. N. Dutt: By doing what acts can men become freed from the debt they owe to their ancestors? We wish to hear this. Great is our curiosity.

M. N. Dutt: The Pitris said Yoy highly blessed ones, the doubt existing in your minds has been properly explained. Listen as we describe the deeds of righteous men with which we become pleased.

M. N. Dutt: Blue hued bulls should be liberated. Gifts should be made to us, on the day of the new moon of sesame seeds and water. In the season of rains, lamps should be lighted. By these decds of men they can free themselves from the debt they owe to their ancestors.

M. N. Dutt: Such gifts never become vain. On the other hand they yield great and endless fruits. The gratification we derive from them is considered to be inexhaustible.

M. N. Dutt: Those men who gifted with faith, beget offspring, rescue their deceased ancestors from imiserable Hell.

M. N. Dutt: Hearing these words of the Pitris, Vriddha Gargya, endued with penances and high energy, became filled with wonder so that the hair on his body stood erect. Addressing them he said, Ye having penances for wealth, tell us what the merits are of setting free Bulls having blue complexions. What merits, again, are of the gifts of lamps in the season of rains and the gift of water with sesame seeds?

M. N. Dutt: The Pitris said If a bull of blue complexion upon being liberated raises a (small) quantity of water with its tail the Pitris become pleased with that water for full sixty thousand years.

M. N. Dutt: The mud such a bull raises with its horns from the banks (of a river or lake) succeeds, forsooth, in sending the Pitris to the region of Soma.

M. N. Dutt: By giving lamps in the season of rains one shines with effulgence like Soma himself. The man who gives lamps is never subject to the quality of Darkness.

M. N. Dutt: Those men who make gifts on the day of the new moon of sesame seeds and water, mixed with honey and using a vessel of copper, O you having penances for wealth, are considered as duly performing a Shraddha with all its mysteries. These men get children of sound health and cheerful minds.

M. N. Dutt: The merit acquired by the giver of the Pinda takes the forin of the growth of his family. Indeed, he who performs these acts with faith, becomes freed from the debt he owes to the ancestors.

M. N. Dutt: Thus have been laid down the proper time for the performance of the Shraddha, the ordinances about the rites to be observed the proper person that should be fed at the Shraddha, and the merits that belong to it. I have described everything to you in due orders.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said The king of the celestials viz., Indra after the Pitris had ceased to speak addressed the powerful Hari, saying, O Lord what are those deeds which please you? How indeed do men succeed in pleasing you?

M. N. Dutt: Vishnu said That which I greatly hate, is the detraction of Brahmanas. Forsooth, if the Brahmanas are adored I consider myself adored.

M. N. Dutt: All superior Brahmanas should always be saluted with respect, after feeding them with hospitality. One should respect his own feet also (in the evening). I am pleased with men who act thus, as also with those who worship and make offerings to the whirl that is noticeable on cowdung.

M. N. Dutt: They who see a Brahmana that is a dwarf in stature, or a boar that has just risen from water and that bears on his head a quantity of mud taken up from the bank, have never to meet with any evil, They become freed from every sin. That man who adores every day the Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa) and the substance called Gorochana and the cow, is considered as adoring the whole universe with the celestials and Asuras and human beings. Indeed, staying within these, I accept in my own form the adoration that is offered to them.

M. N. Dutt: The worship that is offered to these is the adoration offered to me. This has been so as long as the worlds have been created. Those little witted men who adore me in a different way, worship me in vain, for the worship of that kind I never accept. Indeed, the worship of other kind is not at all pleasing to me.

M. N. Dutt: Indra said Why do you speak highly of the circular marks on cowdung, the feet, the boar, the Brahmana that is a dwarf in stature and mud raised up from the soil?

M. N. Dutt: It is you who create all creatures and it is you who destroy them. You are the eternal nature of all transitory things.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Hearing these words of Indra, Vishnu smiled a little and then said, It was with my circular disc that the Daityas were killed. It was with my two feet that the world was covered.

M. N. Dutt: Assuming the forin of a boar I killed Hiranyaksha. Assuming the form of a dwarf I conquered king Bali.

M. N. Dutt: Those great men who adore these, gratify me. Indeed, they who worship me in these forms never meet with dcfeat.

M. N. Dutt: If one, seeing a celibate a Brahmana arrived at one's house, offers to him the first portion of his food that belongs as of right to a Brahmana, and eats the residue he is considered as eating Amrita.

M. N. Dutt: If one, after worshipping the moon-twilight, stands with face directed towards the Sun, he reaps the merit that belongs to the performance of ablutions in all Tirthas and becomes purged off of all sins.

M. N. Dutt: You Rishis having penances for wealth, I have told you in detail what forms a great mystery. On what else shall I discourse to you? Tell me your doubts!

M. N. Dutt: Baladeva said Listen now to another great mystery that yields happiness to men. Unacquainted with it, ignorant persons suffer much distress from other creatures.

M. N. Dutt: That man who rising early dawn, touches a cow, clarified butter and curds, as also mustard seeds and the larger variety thereof called Priyangu, becomes purged off of all his sins.

M. N. Dutt: As regards Rishis having penances for wealth they always avoid all creatures both before and behind, as also all that is impure, while performing Shraddhas.

M. N. Dutt: The Deities said If a person, taking a vessel of copper filling it with water and facing the East determines upon a fast or the observance of a particular vow, the celestials become pleased with him and all his wishes become crowned with fortune. By observing fasts or vows in any other way, littlewitted man gain nothing.

M. N. Dutt: In uttering the resolution about the observance of fasts and in making offerings to the celestials, the use of a vessel of copper is preferable. In presenting the offerings to the celestials in (giving and accepting) alms, in presenting the ingredients of the Argha, and in offering oblations of water mixed with sesame seeds to the departed Manes, a vessel of copper should be used. By doing these acts in any other way, one acquires little merit. These mysteries have been laid down about how the deities are pleased.

M. N. Dutt: Dharma said The offerings made in all rites in honour of the celestials and in those in honour of the departed Manes, should never be given away to a Brahmana who has accepted service under the king or who rings the bell or attends to minor duties in acts of worship or at Shraddhas, or who keeps kine or who drives a trade, or who follows some art as a profession, or who is an actor, or who quarrels with friends or who is destitute of Vedic studies, or who marries a Shudra woman.

M. N. Dutt: The performer of the Shraddha who gives away such offerings to such a Brahmana, losses prosperity and multiplies not his race. He fails, again to gratify his Pitris by doing such an act.

M. N. Dutt: From the house of that person whence a guest returns unsatisfied, the Pitris, the deities, and the sacred fires, all return disappointed on account of such treatment of the guest.

M. N. Dutt: That man who does not perform the duties of hospitality towards the guest arrived at his house comes to be considered as equally sinful with those who are slayers of women or of kine, who are ungrateful towards benefactors, who are slayers of Brahmanas, or who are violators of the beds of their preceptors.

M. N. Dutt: Agni said Listen you with rapt attention. I shall describe the demerits of that man of wicked understanding who lifts up his feet for striking therewith a cow or a highly blessed Brahmana or a burning fire. The infamy of such man spreads throughout the world and reaches the boundary of Heaven itself. His Pítris become filled with fear. The deities also become highly dissatisfied with him. Gifted with great energy, Fire refuses to accept the libations poured by him.

M. N. Dutt: For a hundred lives he has to rot in Hell. He is never rescued at any time.

M. N. Dutt: One should, therefore, never touch a cow with his feet or a Brahmana of high energy or a burning fire, if he is gifted with faith and seeks his own behoof. These are the demerits declared by me of one who lifts up his feet towards these three.

M. N. Dutt: Vishwamitra said Listen to a great mystery that is unknown to most of men and which is connected with religion. He, who offers to the departed manes, rice boiled in milk and sugar, sitting with face directed to the south at noontide, in the shade caused by an elephant's body in the month of Bhadrapada, under the constellation Magha, acquires great merits. Hear of those merits. The man who makes such an offering to the Pitris under such circumstances, is considered as performing a great Shraddha each year for thirteen years successively.

M. N. Dutt: The Kine said That man becomes purged off of all his sins who worships a cow with these Mantras. viz., O Bahula, O Samanga, O you who are fearless everywhere, O you who are forgiving and full of auspiciousness, O friend, O source of all plenty, in the region of Brahman, formerly you were present with your calf in the sacrifice of Indra the holder of the thunderbolt! You were stationed in the sky and in the path of Agni! The celestials with Narada among them worshipped you on that occasion by calling you Sarvamsaha! Such a man attains to the region of Purandara. He acquires, besides, the merits that belong to kine, and the splendour of the Moon also.

M. N. Dutt: Such a man becomes freed from every sin, every fear, every grief. At the end, he acquires residence in the happy region of the Thousand eyed Indra.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said After this, the highly blessed and illustrious seven Rishis headed by Vashishtha, rose and going round the Louts-born Brahman stood around him with hands joined in respect.

M. N. Dutt: Vashishtha, that foremost of all persons conversant with Brahma became their spokesman and put this question which conduces to the behoof of all creatures but especially to the Brahmanas and Kshatriyas.

M. N. Dutt: By doing what acts may virtuous men who have no worldly belongings succeed in acquiring the merits of sacrifices?

M. N. Dutt: Hearing this question of theirs the Grandfather Brahman began to say what follows.

M. N. Dutt: Brahman said Excellent is this question, you highly blessed ones! It is at once auspicious and high and full of mystery. This question that you have put is subtile and conduces to the wellbeing of mankind.

M. N. Dutt: You Rishis having penances for wealth, I shall recite everything to you in full. Do you listen with attention to what I say as to how men acquire the merits of sacrifices.

M. N. Dutt: In the lighted fortnight of the month of Pausha, when the constellation Rohini is in conjunction, if one purifying himself by a bath lies, under the canopy of heaven clad in a single piece of cloth, with faith and rapt attention, and drinks the rays of the Moon, he wins the merits of great sacrifices,

M. N. Dutt: You foremost of twice born persons, this is a great mystery that I declare it to you in reply to your question, you who know the truths of all subjects. attention, and drinks the rays of the Moon, he wins the merits of great sacrifices,

M. N. Dutt: You foremost of twice born persons, this is a great mystery that I declare it to you in reply to your question, you who know the truths of all subjects.

M. N. Dutt: Vibhavasu (The Sun) said : There are two offerings. One of these consists of a palmful of water and the other called Akshata consists of rice grains with clarified butter. One should on the day of the full moon, stand facing that bright orb and make to him the two offerings mentioned viz., a palmful of water and the rice grains with clarified butter called Akshata. The man who presents these offerings is said to worship his sacred fire. Indeed, he is considered as one who has poured libations the three (principal) fires.

M. N. Dutt: That man of little understanding who cuts down a large tree on the day of the new moon, becomes sullied with the sin of Brahmanicide. By killing even a single leaf one commits that sin.

M. N. Dutt: That foolish man who chews a toothbrush on the day of the new moon is considered as on injuring the god of the moon by such a deed. The departed Manes of such a person become annoyed with him.

M. N. Dutt: The celestials do not accept the libations poured by such a man on days of the full moon and the new moon. His departed Manes, become enraged with him and his family become extinct.

M. N. Dutt: Shree said The celestials and departed Manes leave that sinful house, in which eating and drinking vessels and seats and beds lie scattered and in which women are beaten. Without accepting the offerings made to them by the owners of such houses, the celestials and the departed Manes fly away from such a sinful house.

M. N. Dutt: Angirasa said The offspring of that man multiplies who stands every night for a full year under a Karanjaka tree with a lamp for lighting it and holds in his hands the roots of the Suvarchala plant.

M. N. Dutt: Gargya said One should always do the duties of hospitality to his guests. One should give lamps in the hall or shed where sacrifices are celebrated. One should avoid sleep during the day, and abstain from all sorts of flesh or food. never

M. N. Dutt: One should injure kine and Brahmanas. One should always recite the names of the Pushkara lakes and the other sacred waters. Such a course of duty is the foremost. Even this forms a high religion with its mysteries. If observed in practice, it is sure lo yield great results.

M. N. Dutt: If a person celebrated even a hundred sacrifices, he is doomed to see the exhaustion of the merits belonging to the libations poured therein. The duties, however which I have mentioned are 'such that when observed by persons having faith their merit becomes endless.

M. N. Dutt: Listen to another great mystery unknown to many. The celestials do not eat the libations on occasions of Shraddhas and rites in their honour or on occasions of those rites which are performed on ordinary lunar days or on the especially sacred days of the full moon and the new moon, if they see a woman in her menses or one who is the daughter of a mother suffering from leprosy.

M. N. Dutt: The ancestors of the man who allows such a woman to come near to place where the Shraddha is being performed by him do not become pleased with him for thirteen years.

M. N. Dutt: Clad in white clothes, and becoming pure in body and mind, one should invite Brahmanas and make them utter their benedictions. On such occasions one should also recite the 110W Bharata. It is by observing all these that the offerings made at Shraddhas become endless.

M. N. Dutt: Broken utensils broken bedsteads, cocks and dogs as also such trees as have grown within dwelling houses, are all in auspicious objects. Dhaumya said

M. N. Dutt: In a broken utensil exists Kali himself, while in a broken bedstead is loss of money. When a cock or a dog is seen, the celestials do not eat the offerings made to them. Scorpions and snakes find shelter under the roots of a tree. Hence one should never plant a tree within his house.

M. N. Dutt: Jamadagni said That man whose heart is not pure is sure to go to Hell even if he worships the celestials in a Horse sacrifice or in hundred Vajapeya Sacrifices, or if he practises the severes austerities with head down most. Purity of heart is considered as equal to Sacrifices and Truth.

M. N. Dutt: A very barley with a pure heart to a Brahmana, acquired poor Brahmana by giving only a portion of powered the region of Brahman himself. This is a sufficient proof.

M. N. Dutt: Vayu said I shall recite some duties the observance of which produces happiness to mankind. Do you listen also with rapt attention, to certain transgressions upon which they depend.

M. N. Dutt: That man who offers for the four months of the rainy season sesame and water (to the Pitris) and food, according to the best of his power to a Brahmana thoroughly expert in duties, who duly pours libations on the sacred fire, and makes offerings of rice boiled in sugared milk, who gives lamps in honor of the ancestors, with sesame and water, indeed he who does all this with faith and rapt attention, acquires all the merits of a hundred sacrifices in which animals are offered up to the celestials.

M. N. Dutt: Listen to this other great mystery that is unknown to all. That man who thinks it all right when a Shudra lights up the fire upon which he is to pour libations or who does not see any fault when women who are incompetent to assist at Shraddhas and other rites are allowed to assist at them, commit a sin,

M. N. Dutt: The three sacrificial fires become enraged with such a person. In his next life he is born as a Shudra. His departed manes, together with the celestials are never pleased with him.

M. N. Dutt: I shall now recite what the expiation's are which one must perform for purifying himself from such sins. Listen to me with attention. By performing those expiatory rites, one becomes happy and free from fever.

M. N. Dutt: Fasting all the while one should, for three days, with rapt attention pour libations, on the sacred fire, of the urine of the cow mixed with cowdung and milk and clarified butter.

M. N. Dutt: The celestials accept the offerings of such a man on the expiration of a full year. His departed Manes also, when the time comes for him for performing the Shraddha, become pleased with him.

M. N. Dutt: I have thus recited what is righteous and what unrighteous, with all their unknown details, about human beings desirous of attaining to Heaven. Men who abstain from these sins or who having committed them perform the expiatory rites pointed out, succeed in attaining to the celestial region when they leave this world.

M. N. Dutt: Lomasha said The departed Manes of those men vho, without having wives of their own know the wives of other people, are disappointed when the time for the Shraddha comes.

M. N. Dutt: He who knows the wives of other people, he who indulges in sexual union with a barren woman and he who appropriates what belongs to a Brahmana, are equally sinful.

M. N. Dutt: Forsooth, the departed Manes of such people cut them off without wishing to have any intercourse with them. The offerings they make fail to please the celestials and the departed Manes.

M. N. Dutt: Hence, one should always abstain from sexual union with women who are the lawful wives of others, as also with women who are barren. The man who seeks his own good, should not appropriate what belongs to a Brahmana.

M. N. Dutt: Listen now to another mystery unknown to all, about Religion. One should having faith, always do the command of his preceptor and other elders.

M. N. Dutt: On the twelfth lunar day, as also on the day of the full moon, every month, one should make gifts to Brahmanas of clarified butter and of Akshata. Listen to me as I say what the measure is of the merit that such a person wins.

M. N. Dutt: By such a deed one is said to increase Soma and the Ocean. Vasava, the king of the celestials confers upon him a fourth part of the merits of the Horse Sacrifice.

M. N. Dutt: By making such gifts, a person becomes gifted with great energy and prowess. Wellpleased with him, the divine Soma grants him the fruition of his desires.

M. N. Dutt: Listen now to another duty, together with the foundation on which it depends, which yields great merits. In this age of Kali, that duty, if performed gives much happiness to men.

M. N. Dutt: That man who, rising at dawn and purifying himself by a bath dresses himself in white clothes and with concentrated attention makes gifts to Brahmanas of vessels full of sesame seeds, who makes offerings to the departed Manes of water with sesame seeds and honey and who gives lamps as also the food called Krishara, acquires great merits. Listen to me as I say what those merits are:

M. N. Dutt: The divine chastiser of Paka has attributed these merits to the gift of vessels of copper and brass filled with sesame seeds. He who makes gifts of kine, he who makes gifts of land which yield eternal merit, he who performs the Agnishthoma sacrifice with profuse presents in the form of Dakshina to the Brahmanas are all considered by the celestials as acquiring merits equal to those which one acquires by making gifts of vessels filled with sesame seeds.

M. N. Dutt: Gifts of water with sesame seeds are considered by the departed Manes as yielding eternal gratification to them. The grandfathers all become highly pleased with gifts of lamps and Krishara.

M. N. Dutt: I have thus recited the ancient ordinance, laid down by the Rishis that is highly spoken of by both the departed Manes and the celestials in their respective regions.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said The diverse Rishis there assembled together with the departed Manes and the deities, then, with rapt attention, asked Arundhati who was gifted with great ascetic merit.

M. N. Dutt: Having penances for wealth Arundhati was equal to her husband the highsouled Vasishtha in energy, for both in vows and conduct she was her husbands equal. Addressing her, they said, We wish to hear from you the mysteries of duty and religion. You should, O amiable lady, tell us what you consider as a great mystery.

M. N. Dutt: Arundhati said The great progress I have been able to make in penances is owing to your consideration for me in thus remembering my poor self. With your gracious permission I shall now describe duties that are eternal, and are great mysteries. I shall describe them with the causes on which they depend. Listen to me as I describe them to you in full. A knowledge of these should be communicated to him only who has faith or who has a pure heart. These four viz., he who is bereft of faith, he who is full of pride, he who is guilty of Brahmanicide, and he who violates the bed of his preceptor, should never be talked to. Religion and duty should never be communicated to them.

M. N. Dutt: The merits acquired by a person who gives way a Kapila cow every day for twelve years, or by a person who worships the deities every month in a sacrifice or by him who gives away hundreds of thousands o kine in the great Pushkara, do not equal those that are his with whom a guest is pleased. now

M. N. Dutt: Listen to another duty whose observance yields happiness to mankind. It should be observed its secret ritual by a person having faith. Its merits are certainly high.

M. N. Dutt: Listen to what they are. If a person rising at dawn and taking with him a quantity of water and a few blades of Kusha grass, goes to a cowpen and arrived there, washes a cow's horns by sprinkling thereon that water with those blades of Kusha grass and then causes the water to drip down on his own head, he is considered, on account of such a bath, as one who has performed his ablutions in all the sacred waters that the wise have heard to exist in the three worlds and that are honored and resorted to by the Shiddhas and Charanas.

M. N. Dutt: After Arundhati had said these words all the deities and ancestors applauded her saying, Excellent, Excellent, Indeed all the beings there were highly pleased and all of them adored Arundhati.

M. N. Dutt: Brahman said O highly blessed one, excellent is the duty that you have described together with its secret ritual. Praise be to you! I grant you a boon, viz., that your penances always may increase.

M. N. Dutt: Yama said I have heard from you an excellent and agrecable subject. Listen to what Chitragupta has said and what is agreeable to now me.

M. N. Dutt: Those words touch on duty with its secret ritual and are worthy of being heard by the great Rishis as also by men having faith and desirous of achieving their own good.

M. N. Dutt: Nothing is lost of either virtue or sin that is committed by creatures. On days of the full moon and the new moon, those acts are taken to the Sun where they rest.

M. N. Dutt: When a mortal goes into the regions of the dead the Sun witnesses all his deeds. He who is virtuous, acquires the fruits of his virtue there.

M. N. Dutt: I shall now tell you of some auspicious duties that are approved of by Chitragupta. Water for drink, and lamps for lighting darkness, should always be given as also sandals and umbrellas and Kapila kine with due rites. In Pushkara especially, one should make the gift of a Kapila cow to a Brahmana conversant with the Vedas.

M. N. Dutt: One should also always maintain his Agnihotra with great care. Here is another duty which was proclaimed by Chitragupta.

M. N. Dutt: The best of creatures should listen to what the merits are of that duty separately. In course of time every creature is destined to undergo dissolution.

M. N. Dutt: The little witted meet with great distress in the regions of the dead, for they become stricken with hunger and thirst. Indeed, they have to rot there in pain. There is no escape for them from such a disaster.

M. N. Dutt: They have to enter into a thick darkness. I shall now tell you of those duties by discharging which one may succeed in getting Over such disasters.

M. N. Dutt: The performance of those duties costs every little but yields great merit. Indeed, such performance yields great happiness in the other world. The merits of the gift of water for drink, are excellent. In the next world, in especial, those merits are very great.

M. N. Dutt: A large river full of excellent water is ordained in the other world for them who make gifts of water for drink. Indeed, the water contained in that river is endless and cool and sweet as neetar.

M. N. Dutt: He who makes gifts of water in this world, drinks from that river in the next world when he goes there, listen now to the profuse merits accruing from the gift of lamps.

M. N. Dutt: The man who gives lamps in this world has never to even see the thick darkness (of Hell). The Sun and the Moon and the God of Fire always give him their light when he goes to the other world.

M. N. Dutt: The celestials ordain that on very side of such a person there should be burning light. Indeed, when the giver of lights goes to the world of the dead, he himself shines in pure effulgence like a second sun.

M. N. Dutt: Hence, one should give lights while here and water for drink in especial. Listen now to what the merits are of the person who makes the gift of a Kapila cow to a Brahmana knowing the Vedas, especially if the gift be made in Pushkara. Such a man is considered as having made a gift of a hundred kine with a bull a gift that yields eternal merit.

M. N. Dutt: The gift of a single Kapila cow is capable cleansing whatever sins the giver may be guilty of even if those sins be as grave as Brahmanicide, for the gift of a single Kapila cow is considered as equal in merit to that of a hundred kine.

M. N. Dutt: Hence, one should give away a Kapila cow at that Pushkara which is considered as the senior, on the day of the full moon in the month o. Kartika. Men who succeed in making such a gift have never to meet with distress of any kind, or sorrow, or thorns giving pain.

M. N. Dutt: That man who gives away a pair of sandals to a superior Brahmana who is worthy of the gift, acquires similar merits. By giving away an umbrella, a person gets comfortable shade in the next world.

M. N. Dutt: A gift made to worthy person never goes for nothing. It is sure to yield agreeable results to the giver. Hearing these opinions of Chitragupta the Sun's hairs stood erect.

M. N. Dutt: Gifted with great splendour, he addressed all the celestials and the departed Manes, saying, Ye have heard the mysteries about duty, as explained by the great Chitragupta.

M. N. Dutt: Those human beings who gifted with faith, make these gifts to great Brahmanas, become freed from fear of every sort.

M. N. Dutt: These five kinds of men sullied with vicious deeds have no escape. Indeed, these wretched men of sinful conduct, should never be talked to. Indeed they should always be avoided.

M. N. Dutt: Those five are he who is the destroyer of a Brahmana, he who is the destroyer of a cow, he who is addicted to sexual union with other people's wives, he who is bereft of faith (in the Vedas), and he who maintains himself by selling the virtue of his wife.

M. N. Dutt: These men of sinful conduct when they go to the region of the dead rot in hell like worms which live upon puss and blood.

M. N. Dutt: These five are avoided by the departed Manes, the celestials, the Snataka Brahmanas and other twice born persons who are given to the practice of penances.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Then all the highly blessed celestials and the departed Manes, and the highly blessed Rishis also, addressing the Pramathas, said, Ye are all highly blessed beings. Ye are invincible right rangers. Why do you afflict those men who are vile and impure and that are unclean?

M. N. Dutt: What acts are considered as obstacles to your power? What indeed, are those acts on account of which you cannot afflict men? What are those acts that are destructive of Rakshasas and which prevent you from influencing the dwellings of men? Ye night rangers, we wish to hear all this from you.

M. N. Dutt: The Pramathas said Men are rendered unclean by acts of sexual intercourse. They who do not purify themselves after such deeds, they who insult their elders, they who from stupefaction eat different sorts of meat, the man also who sleeps at the foot of a tree, he who keeps any animal matter under his pillow while lying down for sleeps and who lies down or sleeps putting the head where his feet should be placed, or his feet where his feet should be placed, these men are considered by us as unclean. Indeed, these men have many holes.

M. N. Dutt: Those also are classed amongst those who throw their phlegm and other uncle and secretions into the water, Forsooth, these men deserve to be killed and eaten up by us. Indeed, we afflict those human beings who are endued with such conduct. Listen now to what those acts are which are considered as antidotes and on account of which we fail to do any injury on men.

M. N. Dutt: Those men on whose body are marks of Gorochana, or who hold Vachas in their hands, or who make gifts of clarified butter with Akshata, or who place clarified butter and Akshata on their heads, or those who abstain from meat, are incapable of being afflicted by us. That man in whose house the sacred fire burns day and night without being ever extinguished or who keeps the skin or teeth of a wolf in his house or a hill-tortoise, or from whose house the sacrificial smoke is seen to curl upwards or who keeps a cat or a goat that is either tawny or black in colour, is free from our power.

M. N. Dutt: Those householders who keeps these things in their houses always find them free from the attacks of even the most dreadful spirit that live on carrion.

M. N. Dutt: Those beings also, that like us range through different words seeking pleasure, are unable to do any harm to such houses. Therefore, should men keep such articles in their houses as are destructive of Rakshasas. We have thus told you everything in solution of your great doubts.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said After this, the Grandfather Brahman, sprung from the primeval lotus and resembling the lotus (in agreeableness and fragrance), addressed the celestials headed by Vasava, the husband of Sachi, Yonder sits the powerful Naga who lives in the nether regions Gifted with great strength and energy and with great prowess also, his name is Renuka. He is certainly a great being.

M. N. Dutt: Those powerful elephants of great energy and power, who hold the entire Earth with her hills, waters and lakes, should be seen by this Renuka at your request. Let Renuka go to them and ask them about the mysteries of religion or duty! Hearing these words of the Grandfather, the celestials wellpleased, sent (the elephant) Renuka to where those upholders of the world are.

M. N. Dutt: Going where those elephants are, Renuka address them, saying, Ye powerful creature have been commanded by the celestials and the departed Manes to question you about the mysteries of religion and duty! I desire to hear you discourse on that subject in detail. Ye highly blessed ones, do ye discourse on the subject as your wisdom may dictate.

M. N. Dutt: Standing in the eight quarters, the elephants said, On the sacred eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartika when the constellation Ashlesha is in the ascendant, one should make gifts of treacle and rice.

M. N. Dutt: an Renouncing anger, and living on regulated diet, one should make these offerings at a Shraddha, uttering these Mantras, Let Baladeva and other Nagas endued with great strength, let other powerful snakes of huge bodies that are indestructible and eternal and let all the other great snakes that have taken their birth in their family, inake vali offerings to me for the increase of my strength and energy. Indeed, let my strength be as great as that of the blessed Narayana when he raised the submerged Earth. Uttering these Mantras, one should make Bali offerings upon anthill. After sunset, offerings of raw sugar and rice should be made on anthill selected. The anthill should Previously be strewn with Gajendra flowers. Offerings should also be made of blue clothes and fragrant unguents.

M. N. Dutt: If offerings are made thus, those, beings that live in the nether regions, carrying the weight of the upper regions upon their heads or shoulders, become well pleased and gratified. As for ourselves, we also do not feel the exertion of upholding the Earth, on account of such offerings beings made to us.

M. N. Dutt: Afflicted with the burthen we bear, this is what we think (beneficial for men), without the slightest selfish end. By observing this rule for full year, fasting on each occasion, Brahmanas Kshatriyas, and Vaishays and Shudras, acquire great merits from such gifts.

M. N. Dutt: We think that the making of such Bali offerings on the anthill is really fraught with very superior merits.

M. N. Dutt: a By making such offerings one is considered as doing the duties of hospitality or a hundred years to all the powerful elephants which exist in the three worlds.

M. N. Dutt: Hearing these words of the powerful clephants, the celestials and the departed Manes and the highly blessed Rishis, all spoke highly of Renuka. By making such offerings one is considered as doing the duties of hospitality or a hundred years to all the powerful elephants which exist in the three worlds.

M. N. Dutt: Hearing these words of the powerful clephants, the celestials and the departed Manes and the highly blessed Rishis, all spoke highly of Renuka.

M. N. Dutt: Maheshvara said You have recited excellent duties from your Inemory. Listen all of you now to me as I declare some mysteries about religion and duty.

M. N. Dutt: Only those persons whose understandings have been fixed on religion and who are endued with faith, should be instructed about those mysteries, of duty and religion that are fraught with high merits.

M. N. Dutt: Hear what the merits are that become his who, with heart shorn of anxiety, gives food every day, for a month, to kine, and contents himself with one meal a day throughout such period.

M. N. Dutt: The kinc are highly blessed. They are considered as the most sacred of all sacred things. Indeed, it is they who are upholding the three words with the celestials, Asuras and human beings.

M. N. Dutt: Respectful services done to them, yield great merit and grave results. That man who every day gives food to kine daily, acquires accumulated religious merits.

M. N. Dutt: Formerly in the golden age, I had expressed my approval of these creatures, Afterwards Brahman, sprung from the primeval lotus, requested me (to show kindness towards kine).

M. N. Dutt: It is therefore, that emblem of bull stands on my standard overhead. I always sport with kine. Hence, should kine be adored by all.

M. N. Dutt: Kine are endued with great power, They are givers of boons. If adored, they would grant boons. That person who gives food to kine even for a single day, receives from those beneficent creatures, for that deed, a fourth part of the merits he may acquire by all his good acts in life.

M. N. Dutt: Skanda said I shall now describe a duty that is approved of by me. Do ye listen to it with rapt attention. That person who takes a little earth from the horns of a bull of blue color, smears his body therewith for three days, and them performs his ablutions, wins great merits. Hear what those merits are. By such a deed he would wash away every stain and evil, and acquire sovereign sway hereafter.

M. N. Dutt: Every time he is born in this world, he becomes celebrated for his heroism. Hear of another mystery unknown to all.

M. N. Dutt: Taking a vessel of copper and placing therein some cooked food after having mixed it with honey, one should offer it as offerings to the rising Moon on the evening of the day when that luminary is at full.

M. N. Dutt: Do you learn, with faith, what the merits are of the person who acts thus. The Saddhyas, the Rudras, the Adityas, the Vishvedevas, the twin Ashvins, the Maruts and the Vasus, all accept that offering. By such an offering, Soma increases as also ocean that great receptacle of waters. This duty that is declared by me and that is unknown to all, if performed, certainly yields great happiness.

M. N. Dutt: Vishnu said That person who gifted with faith and freed from malice, listens every day with rapt attention to the mysteries about religion and duty that are preserved by the great deities and those mysteries also of the same kind that are preserved by the Rishis has never to succumb to any evil. Such a person becomes also freed from every fear.

M. N. Dutt: That man who, with his senses under thorough restraint, reads these sections describing these auspicious and meritorious duties, together with their mysteries duties, that have been ascribed (by the previous speakers), acquires all the merits of their actual performance.

M. N. Dutt: Sin can never lord over him. Indeed, such a man can never be stained with faults of any sort. Indeed, one acquires profuse merits by reading these mysteries or by reciting them to others or by hearing them recited.

M. N. Dutt: The celestials and the departed Manes eat for ever the Havi and the Kavi offered by such a creature. Both these, on account of the virtues of the offer, become inexhaustible. Even such is the merit of the person who, with rapt attention, recites these mysteries to foremost of Brahmanas, on days of the full moon or the new moon.

M. N. Dutt: Such a person, on account of such a deed, becomes steady in the performance of all duties. He also enjoys personal beauty and prosperity. He succeeds, besides this in becoming the favourite for all time, of the Rishis and the celestials and the departed Manes.

M. N. Dutt: If a person becoines guilty of all sins except those which are classed as grave or heinous, he becomes purged off of them all by only listening to the recitation of these mysteries about religion and duty.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Even these, O king, are the mysteries about religion and duty living in the breasts of the deities. Held in high esteem by all the celestials and promulgated by Vyasa, they have now been declared by me for your behoof. One who is conversant with religion and duty thinks that this excellent knowledge is even superior to the entire. Earth full of riches and wealth.

M. N. Dutt: This knowledge should not be given to one who has no faith or to one who is an atheist, or to one who has fallen away from the duties of his caste, or to one who is shorn of mercy, or to one who is given to the science of empty disputations, or to one who is hostile to his preceptors, or to one who thinks all creatures to be different from oneself.

M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said Who are those persons, O Bharata from whom a Brahman in this world may take his food? From whom may a Kshatriya, a Vaishya and a Shudra take their food respectively?

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said A Brahmana may take his food from another Brahmana or from a Kshatriya or from a Vaishya but he must never take food from a Shudra.

M. N. Dutt: A Kshatriya may take his food from a Brahmana, a Kshatriya or a Vaishya. He must, however, not take food given by Shudras who are given to evil ways and who partake of all sorts of food without any hesitation.

M. N. Dutt: Brahmanas and Kshatriyas can partake of food given by such Vaishyas as serve the sacred fire everyday as are faultless in character and as perform the VOW of Chaturmasya.

M. N. Dutt: But the man who accepts food from a Shudra, swallows the very abomination of the Earth and drinks the excretions of the human body, and partakes of the filth of all the world.

M. N. Dutt: He partakes of the very filth of the Earth who takes his food thus from a Shudra. Indeed, those Brahinanas who accept their food from Shudras, take the dirt of the Earth.

M. N. Dutt: If one engages in the service of a Shudra, he is doomed to perdition though he may duly perform all the rites of his caste. A Brahmana a Kshatriya or a Vaishya, so engaging is doomed although given to the proper performance of religious rites.

M. N. Dutt: It is said that a Brahmana's duty consists in studying the Vedas and seeking the behoof of humanity that a Kshatriyas duty consists in protecting men and that a Vaishyas promoting their material prosperity.

M. N. Dutt: A Vaishya lives by distributing the fruits of his own deeds and agriculture. The breeding of kine and trade are the legitimate duties in which a Vaishya may engage without fear of censure.

M. N. Dutt: The man who gives up his own proper occupation and does that of a Shudra, should be regarded as a Shudra, and on no account should any food be accepted from him.

M. N. Dutt: Professors of medicine mercenary soldiers, the priest who acts as warder of the house, and persons who devote a whole year to study without any profit are all to be regarded as Shudras.

M. N. Dutt: And those who foolishly partake of food offered at ceremonials in a Shudra's house, suffer from a dreadful disaster. On account of partaking such forbidden food, they loose their family strength and energy, and acquire the status of lower animals degenerating to the position of dogs fallen in virtue and devoid of all religious observances.

M. N. Dutt: He who takes food from a physician, takes but an excrement; the food of a harlot is like urine; that of a skilled mechanic is like blood.

M. N. Dutt: If a good Brahmana takes the food of one who lives by his learning. he is considered as taking the food of a Shudra. All good men should avoid such food.

M. N. Dutt: The food of a person who is censured by all, is said to be like a drink from a pool of blood. The acceptance of food from a wicked person is as the killing of Brahmana.

M. N. Dutt: One should not accept food if he is slighted and not received with due honors by the giver. A Brahmana, who does so, is soon possessed by disease, and his family soon becomes extinct.

M. N. Dutt: By accepting food from the warder of a city, one degenerates to the status, of the lowest outcast.

M. N. Dutt: If a Brahmana accepts food from one who is guilty of slaying either a cow or a Brahmana, or from one who has committed adultery with his preceptor's wife, or from a drunkard, he helps to promote the family of Rakshasas.

M. N. Dutt: By taking food from a eunuch or from an ungrateful person, or from one who has misappropriated money entrusted to his care, one is born in the country of the Sabaras situated beyond the limit of the middle country.

M. N. Dutt: I have thus duly described to you the persons from whom food may be accepted and from whom it may not. Now tell me, O Kunti, what else do you wish to hear from me today. son of misappropriated money entrusted to his care, one is born in the country of the Sabaras situated beyond the limit of the middle country.

M. N. Dutt: I have thus duly described to you the persons from whom food may be accepted and from whom it may not. Now tell me, O Kunti, what else do you wish to hear from me today. son of

M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said You have told me fully of those from whom food may be taken and of those from whom it should not be taken?

M. N. Dutt: But I have grave doubts on one points, Do you o Sire enlighten me; do you tell me what expiations a Brahmana should make upon accepting the different kinds of food, those especially offered in honour of the celestials and the oblations made to the departed Manes.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said I shall tell you, O prince, how great Brahmanas may be freed from all sins incurred by acccpting food from others.

M. N. Dutt: In accepting clarified butter, the expiation is made by pouring oblations on the fire, reciting the Savitri hymn. In accepting sesamum, o Yudhishthira the same expiation has to be made.

M. N. Dutt: In accepting meat, or honey, or salt, a Brahmana becomes purged off of all sins by standing till the rising of the Sun.

M. N. Dutt: If a Brahmana accepts gold from any one, he becomes cleansed of all sins by silently reciting the great Gayatri, and by holding a piece of iron in his hand, before the public. In accepting money or clothes or women or gold, the purification is the same as before.

M. N. Dutt: In accepting food, or rice boiled in milk and sugar, or sugarcane juice, or sugarcane, or oil or any sacred thing, one becomes purified by bathing thrice during the day, viz., at morning noon and evening.

M. N. Dutt: If one accepts paddy, flowers fruits, water half ripe barley, milk or curdled milk or anything made of meal or flour the expiation is done by reciting the Gayatri prayer a hundred times.

M. N. Dutt: In accepting shoes or clothes at obsequial ceremonies, the sin is dissipated by reciting devoutly the same hymn a hundred times.

M. N. Dutt: a The acceptance of the gift of land during an eclipse or during the period of impurity, is expiated by observing a fast during three successive nights.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana who partakes of oblations offered to departed Manes, in course of the dark fortnight, is purified by fasting for a whole day and night.

M. N. Dutt: Without performing his ablutions Brahmana should not recite his evening prayers nor engage in religious meditation, nor take his food a second time. By so doing he is purified.

M. N. Dutt: Therefore the Shraddha of departed Manes has been ordained to be performed in the afternoon and then the Brahmana who has been invited beforehand should be treated with food.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana who takes food at the house of a dead person on the third day after the death, is purified by bathing three times daily for twelve days.

M. N. Dutt: After the expiration of twelve days, and performing the purification ceremonies duly, the sin is dissipated by giving clarified butter to Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: If a man takes any food in the house of a dead person, within ten days after the death, he should perform all the expiations before mentioned and should recite the Savitri hymn and perform the sin-destroying Ishti and Kushmanda penances.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana who takes his food in the house of a dead person for three nights becomes purified by performing his ablutions thrice daily for seven days, and thus gains all the objects of his desire, and is never troubled by misfortunes.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana who take his food in the company of Shudras, is purged from all impurities by duly performing the ceremonies of purifications.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana who takes his food in the company of Vaishyas, is purged off of all sins, by living on alms for three successive nights.

M. N. Dutt: If a Brahmana takes his food with Kshatriyas, he should perform expiation by bathing with his clothes on.

M. N. Dutt: By eating with a Shudra on the same plate the Shudra loses his family prestige; the Vaishya by eating on the same plate with a Vaishya, loses his cattle and friends. The Kshatriya loses his prosperity; and the Brahmana, his effulgence and power.

M. N. Dutt: In such cases expiations should be performed and propitiatory rites should be observed, and oblations offered to the celestials. The Savitri hymn should be recited and the Revati rites and Kushmanda penances should be performed for destroying the sin.

M. N. Dutt: If any of the above four castes partake of food partly eaten by a person of any other caste, the expiation is forsooth, made by smearing the body with sacred articles like Rochana, Durba grass, and turmeric,

M. N. Dutt: If any of the above four castes partake of food partly eaten by a person of any other caste, the expiation is forsooth, made by smearing the body with sacred articles like Rochana, Durba grass, and turmeric,

M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said O Bharata, O grandfather, you opine that a man attains to heaven by virtue of generousity and austerity, but my mind is doubtful on affirming the same. Kindly let me have an adequate solution. kindly tell me which of the two is better, viz., charity or devotion?

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Listen to me as I recite the names of the princes who having been devoted to virtue, and having purified their hearts by penances and practiced gifts and other acts of virtue, undoubtedly acquire the different celestial regions.

M. N. Dutt: The Rishi Atreya respected of all, attained, O king, to the excellent celestial regions by importing the knowledge of the limitless Supreme Being to his pupils.

M. N. Dutt: By offering the life of his dear son, for the behoof of a Brahmana king Shibi the son of Ushinara was taken from this world to the celestial regions

M. N. Dutt: Pratardana the king of Kashi, secured to himself unique and eternal fame in this as well as in the other world by giving his son to a Brahmana.

M. N. Dutt: Rantideva, the son of Sangakriti, attained to the highest heaven by duly making gifts to the great Vasishtha.

M. N. Dutt: Devavriddha, too went to the celestial region by giving a hundred ribbed and excellent golden umbrella to a Brahmana for a sacrifice.

M. N. Dutt: The worshipful Ambarisha too, has acquired the celestial region by making a gift of all his kingdom to a highly powerful Brahmana.

M. N. Dutt: King Janamejaya of the solar race, went to the highest heaven by making a gift of earrings, fine vehicles and cows to Brahmanas,

M. N. Dutt: The Royal Sage Vrishadarvi went to the celestial region by making gifts of various jewels and beautiful houses to Brahmanas,

M. N. Dutt: King Nimi of Vidarbha, acquired the celestial region with his sons, friends and cattle by giving his daughter and kingdom to the great Agastya.

M. N. Dutt: The illustrious Rama, the son of Jamadagni, acquired the eternal regions, far beyond his expectation by giving lands to Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: Vasishtha, the greatest of Brahmanas, saved all the creatures at a time of great drought when the Rain God did not bestow his grateful showers upon the Earth, and for this deed he has secured eternal bliss himself.

M. N. Dutt: The highlyillustrious Rama the son Dasharatha, acquired the eternal regions by making gifts of riches at sacrifices,

M. N. Dutt: The illustrious Royal Sage Kakshasena went to the celestial region by duly making over to the great Vasishtha the wealth which he had deposited with him.

M. N. Dutt: Forthwith Maruta the son of Avikshita and the grandson of Karandhama, by giving his daughter in marriage to Angirasa, went to the celestial regions.

M. N. Dutt: The highly devout king of Panchala, Brahmadatta, attained the blessed way by giving away a valuable conchshell.

M. N. Dutt: King Mitrasaha ascended to Heaven by giving his favourite wife Madayanti to the great Vasishtha.

M. N. Dutt: Sudyumna the son of Manu, attained to the most blessed regions by duly punishing the high souled Likhita.

M. N. Dutt: The celebrated Royal sage Sahasrachitta went to the blessed regions by sacrificing his dear life for a Brahmana.

M. N. Dutt: The king Satadyumna went to heaven by giving to Mudgala a golden palace filled with all the objects of desire.

M. N. Dutt: Formerly, King Sumanyu by giving to Shandilya heaps of food resembling a hill, went to the celestial region.

M. N. Dutt: The Shalva prince Dyutimat of great effulgence attained to the highest regions by giving his kingdom to Richika.

M. N. Dutt: The Royal Sage Madirashva went to the region of the celestials by giving his slender waisted daughter to Hiranyahasta.

M. N. Dutt: The lordly Lomapada attained all the objects of his desire by giving his daughter Shanta in marriage to Rishyashringa.

M. N. Dutt: The Royal Bhagiratha went to the eternal regions by giving his famous daughter Hansi in marriage to Kautsa.

M. N. Dutt: King Bhagiratha acquired the most blessed regions by giving hundreds and thousands of kine with their young one to Kohala.

M. N. Dutt: These and many other men, O Yudhishthira, have attained to the celestial region, by the merit of their charities and penances and they have also returned from there again and again.

M. N. Dutt: Their fame will last as long as the world will last. I have related to you, O Yudhishthira, this story of those good householders, who have attained to eternal regions by virtue of their charities and penances.

M. N. Dutt: These people have acquired the celestial region by their charities and by performing sacrifices and by procreating children.

M. N. Dutt: O foremost scion of Kuru's race, these men devoted their virtuous intellects to the celebration of sacrifices and charities by always performing acts of charity.

M. N. Dutt: O powerful prince, as night has set in I shall explain to you in the morning whatever doubts may spring up in your mind.

M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said I have heard from you. O sire, the names of those kings who have ascended to the celestial region. O you whose power is great in the observance of the vow of truth, by following the religion of gift.

M. N. Dutt: How many kinds of gifts are there? What are the fruits of the several kinds of gifts respectively.

M. N. Dutt: For what reasons what kinds of gifts made to what persons yield merits? Indeed, to what persons should what gifts be made? For what reasons are how many kinds of gifts to be made? I wish to hear all this in full.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Listen, O son of Kunti, in full to me, O sinless one, as I describe the subject of gifts. Indeed, I shall tell you, Bharata, how gifts should be made to all the orders of men.

M. N. Dutt: Gifts are made from desire of merit, from desire of profit, from fear, from free choice, and from pity. O Bharata! Gifts, therefore, should be known to be of five sorts. Listen now to the reasons for which gifts are thus divided into five classes.

M. N. Dutt: With mind shorn of malice, one should make gifts to Brahmanas, for by making gifts to them one wins fame in this world and great happiness in the next.

M. N. Dutt: He is in the habit of making gifts; or he will make gifts; or he has already made gifts to me. Hearing such words from solicitors, one gives away all kinds of riches to a particular solicitor.

M. N. Dutt: I am not his, nor is he mine. If disregarded, he may injure me. From such motives of fear even a learned and wise man may make gifts to an ignorant wretch.

M. N. Dutt: This one is dear to me. I also am dear to him. Actuated by considerations like these, an intelligent person, freely and with alacrity, makes gifts to a friend.

M. N. Dutt: The person who solicits me is poor. He is, again, satisfied with little. From considerations such as these, one should always make gifts to the poor, moved by pity.

M. N. Dutt: These are the five sorts of gift. They increase the giver's merits and fame. The Lord of all creatures has said that one should always make gifts according to his power. a