The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section CLXXVI

SECTION CLXXVI

( Chaitra-ratha Parva continued )

Vaisampayana said, "That bulJ among the Bharatas, Arjuna, hearing these words of the Gandharva, was inspired with feelings of devotion and stood confestly like the full moon. And that mighty bowman, that foremost one in Kuru's race having his curiosity greatly excited by what he heard of Vasistha's ascetic power, asked the Oandharvet, saying I desire to hear of the Rishi whom thou hast mentioned as Vasistha. O, tell me in full about him ! O chief of the Gandharvas, tell me who this illustrious RiM was that was the priest of our forefathers !' The Gandharva replied 'Vasistha is Brahma's spiritual (lit. mind-born) son and Arundhati's husband. Ever difficult of being conquered by the very immortals, Desire and Wrath, conquered by Vasistha's 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 conquered 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 !" Thus ends the hundred and seventy-sixth section in the Chaitra-ratha Parva of the Adi Parva.