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Rh ascetic penances, used to shampoo his feet. Though his wrath was excited by Viswamitra's offence, that high-souled Rishi did not yet exterminate Kusikas (the tribe whose king Viswamitra was). Afflicted at the loss of his sons, he did not, as though powerless, though really otherwise, do any dreadful act destructive of Viswamitra. Like the ocean transgressing not its continents, Vasistha transgressed not (the laws of) Yama by bringing back his children from the domains of the king of the dead. It was by obtaining that illustrious one who had con quered his own self that Ikshaku and other great monarchs acquired the whole Earth. And O prince of Kuru's race, it was by obtaining Vasistha, that best of Rishis as their priest that those monarchs performed many grand sacrifices. And O best of the Pandavas, that regenerate Rishi assisted these monarchs in the performance of their sacrifices like Vrihaspati assisting the immortals. Therefore, look ye for some accomplished and desirable Brahmana conversant with the Vedas and in whose heart virtue prevails, to appoint as your priest! A Kshatriya of good lineage, desirous of extending his dominions by conquering the Earth, should, O Partha, first appoint a priest! He who is desirous of conquering the Earth should have a Brahmana before him. Therefore, O Arjuna, let some accomplished and learned Brahmana, who has his senses under complete control and who is conversant with religion, profit and pleasure, be your priest I'"

Thus ends the hundred and seventy-sixth section in the Chaitra-ratha Parva of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana continued,-"Hearing this, Arjuna said, 'O Gandharva whence arose the hostility between Viswamitra and Vasistha both of whom dwelt in a celestial hermitage? O, tell us all about it I'

"The Gandharya replied, -'O Partha, the story of Vasistha is regarded as a Purana (legend) in all the three worlds. Listen to me as I recite it fully! There was, in Kanyakuvja, O bull of Bharata's race, a great king of world-wide fame named Gadhi, the son of Kusika. The virtuous Gadbi had a son named Viswamirra, that grinder of foes, possessing a large army and many animals and vehicles. And Viswamitra, accompanied by his ministers, used to roam in quest of deer through the deep woods and over picturesque marsbes, killing deer and wild boars. Once on a time, while out in quest of deer, the king became

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