Chapter 99

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I have, O chief of the Bharatas, heard what themerits are that are won by presenters of flowers and incense and lights.I have heard thee speak also of the merits that attach to a dueobservance of the ordinances in respect of the presentation of the Vali.It behoveth thee, O grandsire, to discourse unto me once more on thissubject. Indeed, tell me, O sire, once more of the merits of presentingincense and lights. Why are Valis offered on the ground by personsleading the domestic mode of life?’

“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection is recited the old narrative of thediscourse between Nahusha and Agastya and Bhrigu. The royal sage Nahusha,O monarch, possessed of wealth of penances, acquired the sovereignty ofHeaven by his own good deeds. With restrained senses, O king, he dwelt inHeaven, engaged in doing diverse acts of both human and celestial nature.From that high-souled monarch flowed diverse kinds of human acts anddiverse kinds of celestial acts also, O chief of men. The diverse riteswith respect to the sacrificial fire, the collection of sacred fuel andof Kusa grass, as also of flowers, and the presentation of Valiconsisting of food adorned with fried paddy (reduced to powder), and theoffer of incense and of light,–all these, O monarch, occurred daily inthe abode of that high-souled king while he dwelt in heaven. Indeed,though dwelling in heaven, he performed the sacrifice of Japa (or silentrecitation) and the sacrifice of meditation. And, O chastiser of foes,Nahusha, although he had become the chief of the deities, yet worshippedall the deities, as he used to do in days of yore, with due rites andceremonies. Some time after, Nahusha realised his position as the chiefof all the deities. This filled him with pride. From that time all hisacts (of the kind spoken of) were suspended. Filled with arrogance inconsequence of the boon he had received from all the deities, Nahushacaused the very Rishis to bear him on their shoulders. In consequence,however, of his abstention from all religious acts, his energy began tosustain a diminution. The time was very long for which Nahusha filledwith pride, continued to employ the foremost of Rishis, possessed ofwealth of penances, as the bearers of his vehicles. He caused the Rishisto discharge by turns his humiliating work. The day came when it wasAgastya’s turn to bear the vehicles, O Bharata. At that time, Bhrigu,that foremost of all persons conversant with Brahma, repaired to thepresence of Agastya while the latter was seated in his asylum, andaddressing him, said, ‘O great ascetic, why should we patiently put upwith such indignity inflicted on us by this wicked-souled Nahusha who hasbecome the chief of the deities?’

“Agastya said, ‘How can I succeed in cursing Nahusha, O great Rishi? Itis known to thee how the boon-giving (Brahman) himself has given Nahushathe best of boons! Coming to heaven, the boon that Nahusha solicited wasthat whoever would come within the range of his vision would, deprived ofall energy, come within his sway. The self-born Brahman granted him eventhis boon, and it is for that reason that neither thyself nor I have beenable to consume him. Without doubt, is for this reason that none elseamongst the foremost of Rishis has been able to consume or hurl him downfrom his high position, Formerly, O Lord, nectar was given by Brahman toNahusha for quaffing. For that reason also we have become powerlessagainst him. The supreme deity, it seems, gave that boon to Nahusha forplunging all creatures into grief. That wretch among men behaves mostunrighteously towards the Brahmanas. O foremost of all speakers, do thoutell us what should be done in view of the situation. Without doubt, Ishall do what thou wilt advise.’

“Bhrigu said, ‘It is at the command of the Grandsire that I have come tothee with the view of counteracting the puissance of Nahusha who ispossessed of great energy but who has been stupefied by fate. Thatexceedingly wicked-souled wight who has become the chief of the deitieswill today yoke thee to his car. With the aid of my energy I shall todayhurl him down from his position as Indra in consequence of his havingtranscended all restraints! I shall today, in thy very sight,re-establish the true Indra in his position–him, viz., who has performeda hundred horse-sacrifices,–having hurled the wicked-souled and sinfulNahusha from that seat! That unrighteous chief of the deities will todayinsult thee by a kick, in consequence of his understanding beingafflicted by fate and for bringing about his own downfall. Incensed atsuch an insult I shall today curse that sinful wretch, that enemy of theBrahmanas, that has transcended all restraints, saying, ‘Be thoutransformed into a snake!’ In the very sight, O great ascetic, I shalltoday hurl down on the earth the wicked-souled Nahusha who shall bedeprived of all energy in consequence of the cries of ‘Fie’ that will beuttered from all sides.[445] Verily, I shall hurl down Nahusha today,that wight of unrighteous deeds, who has, besides, been stupefied bylordship and power. I shall do this, if it be acceptable to thee, Oascetic! Thus addressed by Bhrigu, Mitravaruna’s son Agastya of unfadingpuissance and glory, became highly gratified and freed from everyanxiety.'”