Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/428

414 punishing this crime if I abstain from so doing, men will once more have to undergo a similar persecution ! The fire of my wrath too that is ready to consume the worlds, if repressed, will certainly consume by its own energy my own self! Ye masters, I know that ye ever seek the good of the worlds, direct me therefore as to what may benefit both myself and the worlds.

"Vasistha continued, The Pitris replied, saying.--

O throw this fire that is born of thy wrath and that desireth to consume the worlds, into the waters. That will do thee good. The worlds. indeed, are all dependent on water (as their elementary cause). Every juicy substance containeth water: indeed the whole universe is made of water. Therefore, O thou best of Brahmanas, cast thou this fire of thy wrath into the waters. If, therefore, thou desirest it, O Brahmana, let this fire born of thy wrath abide in the great ocean, consuming the waters thereof, for it hath been said that the worlds are made of water. In this way, O thou sinless one, thy word will be rendered true, and the worlds with the gods will not be destroyed !

"Vasistha continued. Then. O child, Aurva cast the fire of his wrath into the abode of Varuna. And that fire which consumeth the waters of the great ocean, became like unto a large horse's head which persons conversant with the Vedas call by the name of Vadavamukha. And emitting itself from that mouth it consumeth the waters of the mighty ocean! Blest be thou! It behoveth not thee, therefore, to destroy the worlds, O thou Patasara, who art acquainted with the higher regions, thou foremost of wise men !'"

Thus ends the hundred and eighty-second section in the Chaitra. ratha Parva of the Adi Parva.

The Gandharva continued, -"The Brahmana sage (Parasara) thus addressed by the illustrious Vasistha restrained his wrath from destroying the worlds. But the Rishi Parasara endued with great energy

-the son of Saktri-the foremost of all persons acquainted with the Vedas-performed a grand Rakshasa sacrifice. And remembering the slaughter of (his father) Saktri, the great Muni began to consume the Rakshasas, young and old, in the sacrifice he performed. And Vasistha did not restrain him from this slaughter of the Rakshasa, from