Chapter 132

“Bhishma said, ‘After this, the Grandsire Brahman, sprang from theprimeval lotus and resembling the lotus (in agreeableness and fragrance),addressed the deities with Vasava, the lord of Sachi, at theirhead,–Yonder sits the mighty Naga who is a resident of the netherregions. Endued with great strength and energy, and with great prowessalso, his name is Renuka. He is certainly a great being. Those mightyelephants endued with great energy and power, who hold the entire earthwith her hills, waters, and lakes should be interviewed by this Renuka atyour request. Let Renuka go to them and ask them about the mysteries ofreligion or duty.–Hearing these words of the Grandsire, the deities,with well-pleased minds commissioned (the elephant) Renuka to where thoseupholders of the world are.'”

“Renuka, proceeding to where those elephants are, addressed them, saying,’Ye mighty creatures, I have been commanded by the deities and the Pitristo question you about the mysteries of religion and duty. I desire tobear you discourse on that subject in detail. Ye highly blessed ones, doye discourse on the subject as your wisdom may dictate.’

“The (eight) elephants standing in the eight quarters said, ‘On theauspicious eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Karttika whenthe constellation Aslesha is in the ascendant, one should make gifts oftreacle and rice. Casting aside wrath, and living on regulated diet, oneshould make these offerings at a Sraddha, uttering these mantras thewhile–Let Valadeva and other Nagas possessed of great strength, letother mighty snakes of huge bodies that are indestructible and eternal,and let all the other great snakes that have taken their birth in theirrace, make Vali offerings to me for the enhancement of my strength andenergy. Verily, let my strength be as great as that of the blessedNarayana when he raised the submerged Earth!–Uttering these mantras, oneshould make Vali offerings upon an ant-hill. When the maker of dayretires to his chambers in the west, upon the ant-hill selected shouldofferings be made of raw sugar and rice. The ant-hill should previouslybe scattered with Gajendra flowers, Offerings should also be made of bluecloths and fragrant unguents. If offerings are made in this way, thosebeings that live in the nether regions, bearing the weight of the upperregions upon their heads or shoulders, become well-pleased and gratified.As regards ourselves, we also do not feel the labour of upholding theEarth, in consequence of such offerings being made to us. Afflicted withthe burden we bear, even this is what we think (beneficial for men),without the slightest regard for selfish concerns. Brahmanas andKshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, by observing this rule for a fullyear, fasting on each occasion, acquire great merits from such gifts. Wethink that the making of such Vali offerings on the ant-hill is reallyfraught with very superior merits. By making such offerings, one isregarded as doing the duties of hospitality for a hundred years to allthe mighty elephants that exist in the three worlds.’ Hearing these wordsof the mighty elephants, the deities and the Pitris and the highlyblessed Rishis, all applauded Renuka.”