treatise on morality and religion. Possessed of
the excellence, this treatise is fraught with instructions
for acquiring both Wealth and Religious merit, and
is full of mysteries. In consequence of the promulgation
of this treatise of yours, ye will be progenitors of
an extensive race. King Uparichara also will
become endued with greatness and prosperity.
Upon the death, however, of that king, this eternal
treatise will disappear from the world. I tell
you all this.—Having said these words unto
all those Rishis, the invisible Narayana left them
and proceeded to some place that was not known to
them. Then those sires of the world, those Rishis
that bestowed their thoughts on the ends pursued by
the world, duly promulgated that treatise which is
the eternal origin of all duties and observances.
Subsequently, when Vrihaspati was born in Angiras’s
race in the first or the Krita age, those seven Rishis
charged him with the task of promulgating their treatise
which was consistent with the Upanishads and the several
branches of the Vedas. They themselves who were
upholders of the universe and the first promulgators
of duties and religious observances, then proceeded
to the place they chose, resolved to devote themselves
to penances.’”
“Bhishma said, ’Then upon the expiration
of the great Kalpa, when the celestial Purohita Vrihaspati
was born in the race of Angiras, all the deities became
very happy. The words, Vrihat, Brahma, and Mahat
all bear the same sense.[1800] The celestial Purohita,
O king came to be called Vrihaspati because he was
endued with all these attributes. King Uparichara,
otherwise called Vasu, became a disciple of Vrihaspati
and soon became the foremost of his disciples.
Admitted as such, he began to study at the feet of
his preceptor that science which was composed by the
seven Rishis who were (otherwise) known by the name
of Chitrasikhandins. With soul cleansed from
all sorts of evil by sacrifices and other religious
rites, he ruled the Earth like Indra ruling the Heaven.
The illustrious king performed a great Horse-sacrifice
in which his preceptor Vrihaspati became the Hota.
The sons of Prajapati (Brahman) themselves, viz.,
Ekata, Dwita, and Trita, became the Sadasyas in that
sacrifice.[1801] There were others also who became
Sadasyas in that sacrifice, viz., Dhanusha, Raivya,
Arvavasu, Parvavasu, the Rishi Medhatithi, the great
Rishi Tandya, the blessed Rishi Santi, otherwise called
Vedasiras, the foremost of Rishis, viz., Kapila,
who was the father of Salihotra, the first Kalpa,
Tittiri the elder brother of Vaisampayana, Kanwa,
and Devahotra, in all forming sixteen. In that
great sacrifice, O monarch, all the requisite articles
were collected. No animals were slain in it.
The king had ordained it so. He was full of compassion.
Of pure and liberal mind, he had cast off all desires,
and was well-conversant with all rites. The requisites
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