of practices) is said to be the foremost of all topics treated of in the scriptures.  Righteousness has conduct for its basis.  The unfading Vasudeva is said to be the lord of righteousness.  The Rishis, the Pitris, the deities, the great (primal) elements, the metals, indeed, the entire mobile and immobile universe, has sprung from Narayana.  Yoga, the Sankhya Philosophy, knowledge, all mechanical arts, the Vedas, the diverse scriptures, and all learning, have sprung from Janardana.  Vishnu is the one great element or substance which has spread itself out into multifarious forms.  Covering the three worlds, He the soul of all things, enjoys them all.  His glory knows no diminution, and He it is that is the Enjoyer of the universe (as its Supreme Lord).  This hymn in praise of the illustrious Vishnu composed by Vyasa, should be recited by that person who wishes to acquire happiness and that which is the highest benefit (viz., emancipation).  Those persons that worship and adore the Lord of the universe, that deity who is inborn and possessed of blazing effulgence, who is the origin or cause of the universe, who knows on deterioration, and who is endued with eyes that are as large and beautiful as the petals of the lotus, have never to meet with any discomfiture.’”

SECTION CL

“Yudhishthira said, ’O grandsire, O thou of great wisdom, O thou that art conversant with all branches of knowledge, what is that subject of silent recitation by reciting which every day one may acquire the merit of righteousness in a large measure?  What is that Mantra for recitation which bestows success if recited on the occasion of setting out on a journey or in entering a new building, or at the commencement of any undertaking, or on the occasion of sacrifices in honour of the deities or of the Pitris?  It behoveth thee to tell me what indeed, what Mantra it is, which propitiates all malevolent influences, or leads to prosperity or growth, or protection from evil, or the destruction of foes, or the dispelling of fears, and which, at the same time, is consistent with the Vedas.’

“Bhishma said, ’Hear, O king, with concentrated, attention, what that Mantra is which was declared by Vyasa.  It was ordained by Savitri and is possessed of great excellence.  It is capable of cleansing a person immediately of all his sins.  Hear, O sinless one, as I recite to thee the ordinances in respect of that Mantra.  Indeed, O chief of the sons of Pandu, by listening to those ordinances, one becomes cleansed of all one’s sins.  One who recites this Mantra day and night becomes never stained by sin.  I shall now declare it to thee what that Mantra is.  Do thou listen with concentrated attention.  Indeed, the man that hears it becomes endued with long life, O prince, and attaining to the fruition of all his wishes, sports in felicity both here and hereafter.  This Mantra, O king, was daily recited by the foremost of royal sages devoted