Anushasanika Parva — The highest penance described. The discourse between Bhagiratha and Brahma

Yudhishthira said You have described to us the various kinds of gifts, tranquillity of soul, Truth, mercy, contentment with one's married wife, and the merits of gift.

You know very well, O grandfather, that there is nothing whose power is superior to that of Penances. You should explain to us what forms the highest penance.

Bhishma said I tell you, O Yudhishthira, that one acquires a regions of happiness according to the nature of penances he practises. This is what I hold, O son of Kunti, that there is no Penance superior to abstention from food. Regarding it is recited the ancient discourse between Bhagiratha and the illustrious Brahman.

We have heard, O Bharata, that Bhagiratha attained to that region which is superior to that of the celestials of kine, and of the Rishis.

Seeing this, O monarch, the Grandfather Brahman, addressing Bhagirama, said, How, O Bhagiratha, have you attained to this region that is so hard to get at.

Neither the celestials, nor Gandharvas, nor mankind, o Bhagiratha, succeed in coming here without having performed the severest austerities. How, indeed, have you come by this region.

Bhagiratha said I used to make gifts of hundred thousands of gold coins to the Brahmanas practising the vow of celibacy all the while. It is not by dint of the merit of those, gifts, O learned one, that I have acquired this region.

I celebrated the Ekaratri (onenight's) sacrifice (consisting of fasts and gifts) for ten times, and the Pancharatri (fivenights) sacrifices for as many times. I performed eleven times the Ekadashratri sacrifice. I performed a hundred times the great sacrifices of Jyotishtoma. It is not, however, through the merits of those sacrifices that I have acquired this region of happiness.

For a hundred years I lived continuously by the side of the sacred Jahnavi, all the while performed the severest austerities. There I made gifts to the Brahmanas of thousands of males and numberless female slaves.

By the side of the Pushkara lake I made gifts to the Brahmanas, for a hundred thousand times, a hundred thousand horses, and two hundred thousand kine.

I also gave away a thousand women of great beauty, each adorned with golden moons, and sixty thousand more, decked with ornaments of pure gold. It is not, however, through the merits of those deeds that I have succeeded in acquiring these regions.

O lord of the universe, performing those sacrifices known as Gosava, I gave away ten Arvudas of kine, presenting each Brahmana with ten kine, each of whom was accompanied with her calf, each of whom gave milk at the time, and with each of whom were given a vessel of gold and one white brass for milking her.

Celebrating many Soma sacrifices, I gave away to cach Brahinana ten kine each of whom gave milk, and each of whom had brought forth only her first calf, besides making presents to them of hundreds of kine belonging to that kind which is known by the name of Rohini.

I also gave away to the Brahmanas twice ten Prayutas of other kine, all giving milk, It is not through the merit of those gifts, O Brahman, that I have succeeded in acquiring to this region of happiness.

I also gave away a hundred thousand horses of the Valhika breed, all of white complexion, and adorned with garlands of gold. It is not, however, through the merits of those deeds that I have acquired this region.

I gave also eight crores of golden coins to the Brahmanas, O Brahmana, and another ten crores also in each sacrifice that I celebrated. It is not, however, through the merits of those deeds that I have acquired this region of happiness.

I also gave away seventeen crors of horses, O Grandfather, each of green colour, each having black ears, and each adorned with garlands of gold.

I also gave away seventeen thousand huge elephants having teeth as large as ploughshares, each having those whirls on its body, which are called Padmas, and each bedecked with garlands of gold.

I gave away ten thousand cars, Grandfather, whose parts were made of gold, and which were adorned with various ornaments of gold.

vast sum I also gave away seven thousand other cars with horses yoked to each. All the horses that were yoked to them were adorned with omaments of gold. Those cars represented the presents of a sacrifice and were of exactly that kind which is indicated in the Vedas.

In the ten great Vajapeya sacrifices that I celebrated I gave away a thousand heroes each gified with the power of Indra himself, judged by their prowess and the sacrifices they had celebrated.

Spending a of money, O Grandfather, and celebrating eight Rajasuya Sacrifices. I gave away to the Brahmanas who officiated in them, a thousand kings whose necks were adorned with garlands of gold, after having defeated them in battle. It is not, however, through the merits of those deeds that I have acquired this region.

In those sacrifices, O Lord of the universe, I made presents as profuse as the stream of Ganga herself. Each Brahmana I gave two thousand elephants decked with gold, as many horses adorned with golden ornaments, and a hundred villages of the best kind.

Indeed, I gave these thrice to each Brahmana obscrvant of penances, living on regulated dict, adopting tranquillity of soul, and controlling speech, I lived for a long time on the breast of Himavat by the side of that Ganga whose irresistible current was borne by Mahadeva on his head. It is not through the merit of these deeds, O grandfather, that I have acquired this region.

Throwing the Shami, I worshipped the gods in numberless such sacrifices as are completed in course of single day, and such others as take twelve days for completing, and others still as can be completed in thirteen days, besides many Pundarikas. I have not acquired this region through the merits of any of those sacrifices.

I gave to the Brahmanas eight thousands of white bulls, each possessed of a beautiful hump, and each having one of its horns covered with gold. To them I also gave beautiful wives whose necks were adorned with chains of gold.

I also gave away inasses of gold and wealth of other kinds. I gave away hills of gems and valuable stones. I gave away Villages, thousands in number and filled with wealth and corn.

With all my senses about me, I gave away the Brahmanas a hundred thousand kine each of whom had brought forth only her first calf, at many great sacrifices which I celebrated. It i is not, however, through the merits of those। deeds that I have acquired this region.

I worshipped the celestials in a sacrifice that is completed in eleven days. Twice I worshipped them in sacrifices that are completed in twelve days. I worshipped ther, also many a time in the Horsesacrifices. I performed the Arkayana sacrifice sixteen times, it is not through the merits of those deeds that I have acquired this region.

I also gave each Branis. 17 a forest of Kanchana trees extending for Yojana on every side, and with each tree adorned with jewels and gems. It is not through the merits of that deed that I have acquired this region.

For thirty years, with heart perfectly freed from anger, I observed the Turayana vow that has very superior merit, and gave away to the Brahmanas every day nine hundred kine.

Indeed, O Lord of the universe, every one of those kine belonged to the Rohini species and gave milk at the time I gave them away. It is not through the merits of those deeds, O king of the deities, that I have acquired this region.

a I adored thirty fires, O Brahman, every day. I worshipped the celestials in eight sacrifices in which the fat of all animals was poured on the fire. I worshipped them in seven sacrifices in which the fat of human beings was poured on the fire.

ored them in thousand and livcrtyeight Vishvajit sacrifices. It is not through the merits of those sacrifices, O king of all the celestials, that I have acquired this region.

On the banks of Sarayu and Vahuda and Ganga, as also in the forest of Naimisha, I gave away millions of kine to the Brahmanas. It is not through the merits of those deeds that I have acquired this region.

The vow of fast had been known to Indra. He had, however, kept it a secret. Shukra, the descendent of Bhrigu, gained a knowledge of it by means of spiritual sight acquired through penances. Burning with energy as he does, it is Ushanas who first made it known to the universe. I observed that vow, O boongiving Deity.

When I finished that very superior vow, the Brahmanas became all pleased with me. A thousand Rishis came there.

All those Brahmanas and Rishis, O powerful lord, pleased with me, said, do you go to the region of Brahman! It is on account of the merits of that vow that I have succeeded in acquiring this region of very superior happiness. There is no doubt in this.

Asked by the Supreme Creator of all things, I have duly explained the merits of the vow of fast. In my opinion, there is no penance higher than fast. I bow to you, o foremost of all the celestials. Be propitiated with me.

Bhishma said King Bhagiratha, who had said so and who was worthy of every honour, was, on the conclusion of his speech, honoured by Brahman according to the rites ordained for that purpose.

Do you, therefore, O Yudhishtira, observe the vow of fast and adore the Brahmanas every day. The words uttered by Brahmanas can do every things both in this world and in the next.

Indeed, the Brahmanas should ever be pleased with gifts of dresses and food and whitecomplexioned kine and good dwelling houses and palaces. The very celestials should please the Brahmanas. Freeing yourself from cupidity, do you practice this vow of very superior merit that is not known to all.