Anushasanika Parva — The merits of the gifts of light, incense, &c. The discourse between Nahusha and Agastya on the subject

Yudhishthira said I have, O chief of the Bharatas, heard what the merits which presenters of flowers and lincense and lights acquire. I have heard you speak also of the merits of a due observance of the ordinances in respect of the presentation of the Bali. You should, O grandfather, discourse to me once more on this subject.

Indeed, tell me. O Sire once more of the merits of presenting incense and lights. Why Balis offered the ground by householders. are on

Bhishma said Regarding it is recited the old discourse between Nahusha and Agastya and Bhrigu.

The royal sage Nahusha, O monarch, having penances for wealth, acquired the sovereignty of the celestial region by his own good deeds.

With controlled senses, O king, he lived in the celestial region, engaged in doing diverse acts of both human an celestial nature.

From that great kuig flowed various kinds of human acts and various kinds of celestial deeds, also, O king.

The various rites with respect to the sacrificial fire, the collection of sacred fuel and of Kusha grass, as also of flowers, and the presentation of Bali consisting of food adorned with fried paddy, and the offer of incense and of light, all there, O monarch, occurred daily in the house of that great king while he lived in the celestial region. Indeed, though living in the celestial region. he celebrated the sacrifice of recitation and the sacrifice of meditation.

And, O chastiser of foes, Nahusha, although he had become the king's of the deities, yet adored all the deities, as he used to do formerly, with due rites and ceremonies.

Sometime after, Nahusha realised his position as the king of the deities. This filled him with pride. From that time all his deeds were suspended.

Filled with pride on account of the boon he had received from all the celestials, Nahusha caused the very Rishis to bear hiin on their shoulders. On account, however, of his abstention from all religious acts, his energy began to wane.

The time was very long for which Nahusha, filled with arrogance, continued to employ the foremost of Rishis, having penances for wealth, as the bearers of his vehicles.

He make the Rishis perform by turns this humiliating work. The day came when it was Agastya's turn to carry the vehicle, O Bharata.

At that time, Bhrigu, that foremost of all persons conversant with Brahma went to Agastya while the latter was seated in his hermitage, and addressing him said, O great ascetic, why should we patiently suffer such indignities inflicted on us by this wicked Nahusha who has become the king of the deities.

Agastya said How can, succeed in cursing Nahusha, O great Rishi? You know how the Boongiving (Brahman) himself has given Nahusha the best of boons.

Coming to the celestial region, the boon that Nahusha prayed for, was that, whoever would come within the range of his vision would, deprived of all energy, come within his control.

The selfborn Brahman granted him this boon, and it is therefore that neither yourself nor I have been able to consume him. Forsooth, it is for this reason that none one else amongst the foremost of Rishis has been able to consume or throw him down from his elevated position.

Formerly, O lord, nectar was given by Brahman to Nahusha for drinking. Therefore we can do nothing to him.

The great god, it appears, gave that boon to Nahusha for plunging all creatures into grief. That wretched behaves most unrighteously towards the Brahmanas.

O foremost of all speakers, tell us what should be done under the circumstances. Forsooth, I shall do what you will advise. man

Bhrigu said It is at the command of the Grandfather that I have come to you with the view of counteracting the power of Nahusha who is gifted with great energy but who has been stupefied by fatc.

That exceedingly wicked being who has become the king of the celestials, will today yoke you to his car. With the help of my power I shall today hurl him down from his position as Indra on account of his having transcended all restraints.

I shall today, in your very sight, reestablish the true Indra in his position, him, viz., who has celebrated a hundred horse sacrifices, having hurled the wicked and sinful Nahusha from that seat.

That impious king of the celestials will today insult you by a kick, on account of his understanding being afflicted by fate and for bringing about his own downfall.

Euraged at such an insult I shall today curse that sinful wretch, that enemy of the Brahmanas, who has transcended all restrains, saying, Be you metamorphosed into a snake.

Before your eyes, O great ascetic, I shall today hurl down on the Earth the wicked Nahusha who shall be deprived of all power on account of the cries of Fie that will be uttered from all sides.

Indeed, I shall hurl down Nahusha today, that sinful man, who has, besides, been stupefied by lordship and power. I shall do this, if you like it, О ascetic.

Thus addressed by Bhrigu, Mitravaruna's son Agastya of unfading power and glory, became highly pleased and freed from every anxiety.