The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,582 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,582 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4.
brought forth only her first calf, besides making presents unto them of hundreds of kine belonging to that species which is known by the name of Rohini.  I also gave away unto the Brahmanas twice ten Prayutas of other kine, all yielding milk.  It is not through the merit of those gifts, O Brahman, that I have succeeded in attaining to this region of felicity.  I also gave away a hundred thousand horses of the Valhika breed, all white of complexion, and adorned with garlands of gold.  It is not, however, through the merits of those acts that I have attained to this region.  I gave away eight crores of golden coins unto the Brahmanas, O Brahman, and then another ten crores also, in each sacrifice that I performed.  It is not, however, through the merits of those acts that I have attained to this region of felicity.  I also gave away ten and then seven crores of steeds, O Grandsire, each of green complexion, each having ears that were dark, and each adorned with garlands of gold.  I also gave away ten and seven thousand elephants of huge size, of teeth as large as plough-shares, each having those whorls on its body which are called Padmas, and each adorned with garlands of gold.  I gave away ten thousand cars, O Grandsire, whose limbs were made of gold, and which were adorned with diverse ornaments of gold.  I also gave away seven thousand other cars with steeds yoked unto each.  All the steeds that were yoked unto them were adorned with ornaments of gold.  Those cars represented the Dakshinas of a sacrifice and were of exactly that kind which is indicated in the Vedas.  In the ten great Vajapeya sacrifices that I performed, I gave away a thousand horses each endued with the puissance of Indra himself, judged by their prowess and the sacrifices they had performed.  Spending a vast sum of money, O Grandsire, and performing eight Rajasuya sacrifices, I gave away (unto the Brahmanas that officiated in them) a thousand kings whose necks were adorned with garlands of gold, after having vanquished them in battle.  It is not, however, through the merits of those acts that I have attained to this region.  In those sacrifices, O Lord of the universe, the presents that flowed from me were as copious as the stream of Ganga herself.  Unto each Brahmana I gave two thousand elephants decked with gold, as many steeds adorned with golden ornaments, and a hundred villages of the best kind.  Verily, I gave these unto each Brahmana for three times in succession.  Observant of penances, subsisting on regulated diet, adopting tranquillity of soul, and restraining speech, I dwelt for a long time on the breast of Himavat by the side of that Ganga whose irresistible current (as it fell from heaven) was borne by Mahadeva on his head.  It is not through the merit of these acts, O Grand sire, that I have attained to this region.  Throwing the Sami, I adored the gods in myriads of such sacrifices as are completed in course of a single day, and such others as take twelve days for completing, and others
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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.