because I wish that such a knowledge of the Vedas as hath never been acquired by any Brahmana whatever, may be manifest unto me.  O conqueror of Paka, these endeavours of mine have been for Vedic lore.  O Kausika, by the force of my asceticism.  I purpose to obtain all sorts of knowledge.  O lord, a knowledge of the Vedas as learnt through teachers, is acquired in a long time.  Therefore, (with the view of attaining in short time a proficiency in the Vedas), I have put forth these high endeavours.’  Indra said, ’O Brahmana sage, the way that thou hast adopted is not the proper way.  What for, O Brahamana, wilt thou destroy thyself?  Go and learn from the lips of a preceptor.’

“Lomasa said, ’O son of Bharata, having said this, Sakra went away, and Yavakri of immeasurable energy, once more directed his attention to asceticism.  O king, we have heard that carrying on severe austerities he again greatly agitated Indra.  And the god Indra, slayer of Vala, again came unto that great sage, who was engaged in austere penances; and forbade him, saying, Thou art striving with the object that Vedic lore may be manifest unto thee as well as unto thy father; but thy exertions can never be successful, nor is this act of thine well-advised.’  Yavakri said, ’O lord of the celestials, if thou wilt not do for me what I want, I shall, observing stricter vows, practise still severer penances.  O lord of celestials! know that if thou do not fulfil all my desires, I shall then cut off my limbs and offer them as a sacrifice into a blazing fire.’

“Lomasa said, ’Knowing the determination of that high-souled sage, the sagacious Indra reflected and hit upon some expedient to dissuade him.  Then Indra assumed the guise of an ascetic Brahmana, hundreds of years old, and infirm, and suffering from consumption.  And he fell to throwing up a dam with sands, at that spot of the Bhagirathi to which Yavakri used to descend for performing ablutions.  Because Yavakri, chief of the Brahmanas, paid no heed to Indra’s words, the latter began to fill the Ganga with sands.  And without cessation, he threw handfuls of sand into the Bhagirathi, and began to construct the dam attracting the notice of the sage.  And when that bull among the sages, Yavakri, saw Indra thus earnestly engaged in constructing the dam, he broke into laughter, and said the following words, ’What art thou engaged in, O Brahmana, and what is thy object?  Why dost thou, for nothing, make this mighty endeavour?’ Indra said, ’I am trying, O my son, to dam the Ganga so that there may be a commodious passage.  People experience considerable difficulty in crossing and recrossing (the river) by boat.’  Yavakri said, ’O thou of ascetic wealth, thou canst not dam up this mighty current.  O Brahmana, desist from, what is impracticable, and take up something that is practicable.’  Indra said, ’O sage, I have imposed on myself this heavy task, even as, for obtaining a knowledge of the Vedas, thou hast begun these penances, which can never be fruitful.’  Yavakri said, ’If, O chief of the celestials, those efforts of mine be fruitless, even as those of thy own, then, O lord of heavenly hosts, be thou pleased to do for me what is practicable.  Vouchsafe unto me boons whereby I may excel other men.’