Anushasanika Parva — -continued The adoration of the Brahmanas

Bhishma said One should always offer the most respectful adoration to the Brahmanas. They have Soma for their king, and they it is who confer happiness and misery upon others.

They, O king, should always be cherished and protected as one cherishes and protect his own father and grandfather, and should be adored with bows and gifts of food and ornaments and other articles of enjoyment as also with such things as they may wish for. The peace and happiness of the kingdom originate from such respect shown to the Brahmanas even as the peace and happiness of all living creatures come from Vasava the king of the gods.

Let Brahmanas of pure conduct and Brahmaeffulgence be born in a kingdom. Kshatriya also who are splendid carwarriors and that are capable of defeating all enemies, should be desired.

This was said to me by Narada. There is nothing higher, O king, than this viz., the act of making a Brahmana of good birth, having a knowledge of morality and righteousness, and steadfast in the observance of excellent vows, live in his mansion. Such an act yields every sort of blessing.

The sacrificial offerings given Brahmanas reach the very gods who accept them. Brahmanas are the fathers of all creatures. There is nothing higher than a Brahmana.

The Sun, the Moon, the Wind, the Water, the Earth, the Sky and the points of the compass, all enter the body of the Brahmana and take what the Brahmana eats. In that house where Brahmanas do not eat, the departed manes refuse to eat.

The gods also never eat in the house of the wretch who hates the Brahmanas. When the Brahmanas are pleased, the departed manes are also pleased.

The deities also become pleased when the Brahmanas are pleased. There is no doubt in this. They who give away the sacrificial Havi to the Brahmanas become themselves pleased.

Such men never meet with destruction. Indeed, they succeed in acquiring great ends. Those particular offerings in sacrifices with which one pleases the Brahmanas, go to please both the departed manes and the deities. The Brahmana is the cause of that sacrifice whence all created things have originated.

The Brahmana is acquainted with that from which this universe has originated and to which, when apparently, destroyed it. returns. Indeed, the Brahmana knows the path that leads to the celestial region and the other path which leads to the opposite place.

The Brahmana is conversant with that which has taken place and that which will take place. The Brahmana is the foremost of all twolegged beings. The Brahmana, O chief of the Bharatas, is fully conversant with those duties which have been laid down for his order.

Those persons who follow the Brahmanas are never defeated. They never meet with destruction even after death. Indeed, victory is always theirs.

Those great persons indeed, those persons who have subdued their souls, who accept the words that fall from the lips of the Brahmanas, are never defeated. Victory always becomes theirs.

The energy of those Kshatriyas who scorch everything with their energy and might, when they encounter the Brahmanas, become neutralised.

The Bhrigus conquered the Talajanghas. The sons of Angiras conquered the Nipas. Bharadvaja conquered the Vitahavyas as also the Alias, O chief of Bharata's race. and power

Although all these Kshatriyas were capable of using various arms, yet the Brahmanas named, owning only black deer-skins for their emblems, succeeded in conquering them effectually. Bestowing the Earth upon the Brahmanas and illuminating both the worlds by the brilliance of such an act, one should accomplish acts through which one may succeed in acquiring the end of all things.

Like. fire concealed within wood, everything that is said or heard or read in this world, lies in the Brahmana.

Regarding it is cited the old history of the conversation between Vasudeva and the Earth, O chief of Bharata's race.

Vasudeva said O mother, of all creatures, O auspicious goddess, I wish to ask you for a solution of this doubt of mine! By what act does a man living like a householder succeed in cleansing all his sins.?

The Earth said One should serve the Brahmanas. This conduct is purifying and excellent. All the impurities are destroyed of that man who serves the Brahmanas with respect.

From this (conduct) arises prosperity. From this arises fame. From this originates intelligence or knowledge of the soul. A Kshatriya, by this conduct, becomes a powerful carwarrior and a destroyer of foes and succeeds in winning great fame.

Even this is what Narada said to me, viz., that one should always respect a Brahmana that is well born, of rigid vows, and conversant with the scriptures, if one wishes every kind of prosperity.

That man really grows in prosperity who is praised by the Brahmanas who are higher than those who are regarded superior to all men high or low.

That man who speaks ill of the Brahmanas soon meets with discomfiture, even as a clod of unbaked earth, meets with destruction when thrown into the sea.

Similarly, all acts that are hurtful to the Brahmanas, to bring about discomfiture and ruin. Look at the dark spots on the Moon and the salt waters of the ocean.

The great Indra had at one time been marked all over with a thousand sexmarks. It was through the power of the Brahmanas that those marks were metamorphosed into as many eyes.

See, O Madhava, how all these things took place. Desiring fame and prosperity and are sure various regions of beatitude in the next world, a person of pure conduct and soul should, O destroyer of Madhu, live in obedience to the dictates of the Brahmanas.

Bhishma said Hearing those words of the goddess Earth, the destroyer of Madhu, O you of Kuru's race, said, Excellent, Excellent! and honoured the goddess in due form.

Having heard this discourse between the goddess Earth and Madhava, do you, O son of Pritha, always, with rapt soul, adore all superior Brahmanas. Doing this, you will surely obtain what is highly beneficial for you.