ब्राह्मण की महिमा की कथा

Markandeya said : Hear from me again of the great glory of the Brahmanas. We have heard that a royal sage Vainya by name was engaged in celebrating the horse-sacrifice and that Atri was prepared to go to him for alms. But at last actuated by religious motives he abandoned his desire for riches.

After much deliberation (as to what he should do) that highly energetic (sage) became desirous of living in the forests and calling his wedded wife and sons together spoke to them thus

May it be your inclination to go to the forests soon; because (by repairing there) we shall attain the highly blissful and tranquil fulfillment (of our desires).

To this his wife, actuated by virtuous motives, also replied “go to the high-souled Vainya and beg of him immense wealth.

That royal sage engaged in horse sacrifice will give you the wealth begged by you. Then, O Brahmanic sage, having received from him vast wealth,

And having distributed it among the sons and the attendants, you may go whither you like. This is the highest virtue as instanced by men versed in religion.

Atri said: O highly fortunate (wife), I have been told by the noble-minded Gautama that Vainya is religious, conversant with (the principles of the science of) profit and devoted to truth.

But he is surrounded by Brahmanas who are very envious of me. As Gautama has informed me of this I dare not go there.

For even if I speak these (highly) beneficial and religious words calculated to bring about the fulfillment of one's desires they will oppose me with speeches productive of no good.

But, O highly wise (wife), I relish your proposal and will (therefore) go there. Vainya will bestow on me cows and immense wealth.

Markandeya continued Saying this, that sage of great devotion, soon repaired to Vainya's sacrifice. And reaching the sacrificial altar he eulogised the king. With noble speeches and then said these words.

Atri said : O king, you are indeed blessed, you are the lord of all beings and are the greatest sovereign on earth.

The sages pay their adorations to you. And there is none conversant with religion besides you.” Thereupon that sage of great austerities (Gautama) said to him in anger.

Gautama said: O Atri, do you not repeat such (foolish words) again. Your understanding is not yet matured. In this world, Mahendra, the lord of all creatures, is the greatest monarch.

O king of kings, thereupon, Atri replied to Gautama “this king is as much the dispenser of our destiny as Indra, the lord of all creatures. Your intellect is clouded with ignorance and you have no sense at (all)."

Gautama said: I am sure, it is not I but you who are labouring under a misconception in this matter. Desirous of obtaining his favour you are flattering the king before this assembly of men.

You are not conversant with what is the highest duty nor do feel any need for it. You are ignorant as a child; why then have you grown so old in years?

Markandeya continued When they were thus quarreling before the Munis who were engaged in the sacrifice, the latter enquired "What is the matter with these two men?

Who did admit them to the court of Vainya? What is it that they are clamouring for?”

Then the highly righteous Kashyapa versed in all duties stepping between the disputants inquired of them the cause of their quarrel.

Thereupon, Gautama addressing that assembly of the most exalted sages said. "O the best of Brahmanas, hear the cause of our dispute.

Atri says that Vainya rules over our destiny. But we entertain a grave doubt on the point. Markandeya said : Hearing this, those high-souled sages soon repaired to

The righteous Sanatkumara in order to solve their doubt. And he (Sanatkumara) of great devotional spirit, hearing their their words, addressed them with these words of true religious import..

Sanatkumara said: As (when) fire united with the wind burns down forests, so (when) a Brahmana's energy is united with that of a Kshatriya and vice versa it consumes all enemies.

The king is noted for establishing religion and he is the protector of his subjects. He is (like) Indra (a protector of all beings) like Shukra (a propounder of morals) like Brihaspati (an adviser) and (therefore) he is (justly) styled the ruler of our destiny.

Is there (therefore) anybody who considers himself above worshipping the individual to whom such appellations as 'Prajapati' (the lord of all creatures), 'Virata', 'Emperor', 'Kshatriya' (one who preserves from pain), 'lord of earth,' and 'Monarch', are applied in praise?

The monarch is further styled 'the prime cause,' (of social order), 'the conqueror of battles,' (and therefore) the preserver of the (peace), 'the watchman', 'the contented', 'the lord', 'guide to heaven,' 'the easily victorious', 'Vishnu like.'

'Of effective wrath,' 'the victorious in wars' and 'the introducer of true religion.' The Rishis afraid of committing sins made over the (temporal) powers to the Kshatriyas.

Like the sun among the gods in heaven who destroys darkness by his rays the king among men eradicates sin from the earth.

Therefore by the authority of the Shastras the greatness of the king is established. And I declare for him who has spoken in favour of the king.

Markandeya said : Then the high minded king, greatly satisfied with the victorious party who first spoke in high terms of him, gladly addressed him with these words.

'O Brahmanic sage, as you have styled me the greatest and best of men, here and have compared me with the gods,

I will therefore confer on you immense and dressed and well-adorned Shyama maids.

I bestow on you one hundred millions of coins and ten Bharas (each bhara is equal to 32 maunds) of gold. According to my belief you are conversant with everything.

And the energetic Atri, thus honored by the king and having rightfully accepted all the wealth returned home.

And having distributed that wealth among his sons, that self-contained sage gladly went to the forests with the view of performing asceticism.