12.324
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
When the devotee of the Lord, King Mahāvasu, was present, for what reason did he, having fallen, enter the cavity of the earth? (3-324-1)
Bhishma said.
Here too, O Bhārata, they recount this ancient history, the conversation between the sages and the gods. (3-324-2)
The gods said to the best of the twice-born: "The sacrifice should be performed with a goat." That goat is to be understood as the sheep and the goat, not any other animal—this is the rule. (3-324-3)
The sages said.
The Vedic revelation states: "One should offer seeds in sacrifices." The seeds called 'aja' should not be taken to mean a goat; you ought not to kill the goat. (3-324-4)
O gods, this is not the righteousness of the virtuous, where an animal would be killed. This Kṛta Yuga is excellent; how could an animal be killed in it? (3-324-5)
Bhishma said.
While those sages were thus conversing together with the wise, the best of kings, Vasu, who moved in the sky, prosperous and possessing all forces and vehicles, arrived at that place. (3-324-6)
Seeing him, the Vasu, suddenly approaching, the twice-born said to the gods about you, who move in the sky: "This one will dispel doubt." (3-324-7)
How could this great Vasu, who is a sacrificer, lord of gifts, excellent, and fond of the welfare of all beings, ever speak otherwise? (3-324-8)
In this way, after coming to an agreement, the gods and sages together quickly approached King Vasu and questioned him directly. (3-324-9)
O king, by what should the sacrifice be performed—by a goat or perhaps by herbs? Please resolve this doubt of ours, for you are considered our authority. (3-324-10)
He, Vasu, having joined his palms, respectfully asked them: "Among you, whose side is considered? Speak the truth, you who have assembled." (3-324-11)
The sages said.
O king, our view is that sacrifices should be performed with grains; but for the gods, the view is that animals are to be used. O king, please tell us your opinion. (3-324-12)
Bhishma said.
Then, having known the opinion of the gods, Vasu, taking sides, said these words: "A goat or a ram should be sacrificed thus." (3-324-13)
Then, all the sages, angered and radiant like the sun, spoke to Vasu, who was in the aerial car and advocating for the gods. (3-324-14)
Since you have seized the side of the gods, therefore fall from heaven. From this day onward, O king, your movement in the sky is obstructed. By the force of our curse, you will pierce the earth and enter it. (3-324-15)
Then, at that very moment, King Rājoparicara quickly went down into a hole in the earth. Yet, by the command of Nārāyaṇa, his memory did not abandon him at that time. (3-324-16)
But all the gods together calmly considered the release from Vasu's curse; indeed, that was the king's good deed. (3-324-17)
By this act, for our sake, the king has received a curse from the great-souled one. In return, we, the dwellers of heaven, should together do what is pleasing to him. (3-324-18)
Thus, having quickly made up their minds with intellect and gone there, the lords then said to Rājoparicara with delighted hearts. (3-324-19)
You are a devotee of the god devoted to Brahman, Hari, the teacher of gods and demons; if he is pleased with you, he may willingly remove the curse. (3-324-20)
But honouring the twice-born must indeed be done by the great-souled. Certainly, their austerity must bear fruit, O best of kings. (3-324-21)
Because you have suddenly fallen from the sky to the earth, we indeed grant you one favor, O best of kings. (3-324-22)
O sinless one, as long as you must remain, due to the fault of a curse, within a cavity of the earth, you will experience that period. During that time, in sacrifices, you will receive the stream of ghee well-offered by the great-souled Brahmins. (3-324-23)
Through our contemplation, you will attain your goal; and let not fatigue affect you. O king, in the cavity of the earth, you will not experience hunger or thirst. (3-324-24)
Because he has drunk the stream of vital essence and has been nourished by brilliance, that god, pleased by our boon, will indeed lead him to the world of Brahma. (3-324-25)
Having thus granted the boon to the king, all the gods, the sages, and the ascetics present there returned to their own abodes. (3-324-26)
O Bhārata, he always performed worship to Viṣvaksena, and he always chanted the recitation that arose from the mouth of Nārāyaṇa. (3-324-27)
There too, O subduer of enemies, even after departing from the earth, he worshipped Hari, the lord of the gods, with five sacrifices at the five times. (3-324-28)
Then, Nārāyaṇa Hari, the Lord, being pleased by his devotion, favored the one who had undivided devotion, was true, intent on Him, and self-controlled. (3-324-29)
The boon-giving Lord Viṣṇu, standing near the foremost of the twice-born, addressed Garuḍa, the swift one, with a smile. (3-324-30)
O most excellent of the twice-born, O greatly fortunate one, let it be done as I have said. The emperor named Vasu, who is righteous, has sought my protection. (3-324-31)
Because of the Brāhmaṇas' anger, the earth's surface was penetrated. The foremost Brāhmaṇas have been honored by you; but now, O best of twice-born, you should go. (3-324-32)
O Garuḍa, by my command, make the best of kings, who is hidden in a cavity of the earth and moves below, into one who moves in the sky here; do not delay. (3-324-33)
Then Garutmān, spreading his two wings and swift as the wind, entered the opening in the earth where Vasu (Kubera) sits in silence. (3-324-34)
Then, the son of Vinatā suddenly lifted him up, swiftly soared into the sky, and there released him. (3-324-35)
At that very moment, Rājoparicara, the best of kings, was reborn; with his body, he went to Brahma-loka. (3-324-36)
Thus, O son of Kunti, by him also, due to a fault of speech and by the command of the deity, the state unworthy of a sacrificer was attained as a result of the curse of the twice-born, by the great-souled one. (3-324-37)
Hari, the Lord, was served exclusively by that man. Then, he quickly gave up the curse and attained Brahma-loka. (3-324-38)
All this has been declared to you, as it happened with beings and humans. Nārada also, as he went to the White Island, the sage. That I shall tell you in full; listen with one-pointed mind, O king. (3-324-39)
