These Mantras constitute a great mystery of the Rishis and are the very highest of those which they silently recite.  Even such are these Mantras unto them who practise the duty of recitation and pour libations on the sacrificial fire.  This that I have said unto thee is the excellent opinion of Parasara.  It was recited in former days unto Sakra himself.  Representing as it does Truth or Eternal Brahman.  I have declared it in full to thee.  It constitutes that heart of all creatures, and is the highest Sruti.  All the princes of the race of Soma and of Surya, viz., the Raghavas and the Kauravas, recite these Mantras every day after having purified themselves, These constitute the highest end of human creatures.  There is rescue from every trouble and calamity in the daily recitation of the names of the deities of the seven Rishis, and of Dhruva.  Indeed, such recitation speedily frees one from distress.  The sages of olden times, viz., Kasyapa, Gotama, and others, and Bhrigu Angiras and Atri and others, and Sukra, Agastya, and Vrihaspati, and others, all of whom are regenerate Rishis, have adored these Mantras.  Approved of by the son of Bharadwaja, these Mantras were attained by the sons of Richika.  Verily, having acquired them again from Vasishtha, Sakra and the Vasus went forth to battle and succeeded in subjugating the Danavas.  That man who makes a present of a hundred kine with their horns covered with plates of gold unto a Brahmana possessed of much learning and well-conversant with the Vedas, and he who causes the excellent Bharata story to be recited in his house every day, are said to acquire equal merits.  By reciting the name of Bhrigu one’s righteousness becomes enhanced.  By bowing to Vasishtha one’s energy become enhanced.  By bowing unto Raghu, one becomes victorious in battle.  By reciting the praises of the Aswins, one becomes freed from diseases.  I have thus, O king, told thee of the Savitri Mantras which are identical with eternal Brahman.  If thou wishest to question me on any other topic thou mayst do so.  I shall, O Bharata, answer thee.’”

SECTION CLI

“Yudhishthira said, ’Who deserve to be worshipped?  Who are they unto whom we should bow?  How, indeed, should we behave towards whom?  What course of conduct, O grandsire, towards what classes of persons is regarded faultless?’

“Bhishma said, ’The humiliation of Brahmanas would humiliate the very deities.  By bowing unto Brahmanas one does not, O Yudhishthira, incur any fault.  They, deserve to be worshipped.  They deserve to have our Salutations.  Thou shouldst behave towards them as if they are thy sons.  Indeed, it is those men endued with great wisdom that uphold all the worlds.  The Brahmanas are the great causeways of Righteousness in respect of all the worlds.  Their happiness consists in renouncing all kinds of wealth.  They are devoted to the vow of restraining speech.  They are agreeable