12.264
Yudhishthira said.
O grandsire, among the many sacrifices and austerities performed with a single purpose, how is the sacrifice established for the sake of dharma and not for the sake of pleasure?
Bhīṣma said.
Here, I will tell you what Nārada recounted: the ancient story of the Brāhmaṇa who lived by the uñcha mode of life for the sake of sacrifice.
In the excellent kingdom of Dharmottara in Vidarbha, there was a twice-born sage who lived by gleaning; at a sacrifice, he undertook the performance of a sacrifice.
There, Suvarcalā, the wife of the Sun, ate śyāmāka (millet). Through her austerity, the bitter and tasteless vegetable became sweet.
O scorcher of foes, even a sacrifice performed in the forest, worshipping the earth by non-injury to all beings and using only roots and fruits, leads to heaven.
His wife, thin from austerities, pure, and wandering among lotus ponds, was brought to the role of a sacrificial wife and lived in accordance with truth. However, afflicted by a curse, she no longer acted according to her own nature.
A garment made of worn-out peacock leaves, belonging to her and to those with leaves, was prepared there for the desireless one during the sacrifice, according to the ritual of the Hotṛ priest.
Śukra, due to wrong contemplation and knowledge of unrighteousness, was reborn. In that forest, a deer who was nearby became his companion. The deer spoke with words: "Truly, you have committed a wrongful act."
If this sacrifice is lacking mantra components, it becomes defective. O, throw me to the Hotṛ. You, go to heaven without sloth.
Then, during the sacrifice, Savitri directly addressed him. When inviting and having been replied to, she said, "I would not harm the co-dweller."
Thus addressed, she withdrew and entered the sacrificial fire. Wondering what evil deed had occurred in the sacrifice, she desired to see and (therefore) went to the netherworld.
But she, with joined palms, again requested the earth for truth; having embraced her with truth, being instructed, (she was told) "Let her go."
Then the deer, after taking eight steps, turned back and said, "Well, kill me truly; if killed, I shall attain the good path."
Behold, with the vision I have granted you, the divine Apsarases and the wondrous aerial chariots of the noble Gandharvas.
Then, seeing the very beautiful deer with longing in his eyes, and observing the deer being harmed, he justified attaining heaven.
But he, Dharma, having become a deer and having lived for many years in the forest, undertook his atonement, for he was not one for sacrificial rituals.
Because of his disposition as one who harms animals, his great austerity was completely destroyed; therefore, violence is not suitable for sacrifice.
Then the venerable Dharma himself conducted the sacrifice for him, and by his austerity, he attained supreme reconciliation with his wife.
Non-violence is the highest duty; violence in sacrifice is not truly established. I will tell you the truth, which is the true duty of those who speak the truth.
