13.085
Vasiṣṭha said.
Indeed, O Rāma, formerly I heard from the Grandfather the account of Brahma, the Supreme Self, and the vision of Brahman. (13-85-1)
O Rāma, O master, indeed the great god, bearing the form pertaining to Varuṇa, has in the majesty of Varuṇa the sovereignty of Rudra, the Lord. (13-85-2)
All the sages came, as did the gods led by Agni; all the components of the sacrifice came, and the Vaṣaṭ formula itself appeared in embodied form. (13-85-3)
There, the Sāma hymns having form, and thousands of Yajus hymns, and also the Ṛgveda, adorned with the word-sequence, arrived. (13-85-4)
Characteristics, tones, insertions, etymology, variations of note, the syllable om, end indicators, suppression and extension are included as well. (13-85-5)
Śiva, the Revered One, bore the Vedas with the Upaniṣads, the knowledge, the Sāvitrī, and also the past, present, and future. He, O Lord, then indeed himself offered the Self into the Self. (13-85-6)
O uplifter of the Bhṛgu lineage, at that time, the wives and daughters of the gods and also their mothers all came together to that place. (13-85-7)
The sacrifice of Paśupati and the pleasure of Varuṇa, the great-souled; but Svayambhu, having seen those, his seed fell upon the earth. (13-85-8)
Pūṣan indeed then gathered dust from the ground from the unmoving body of Śukra, and with his two hands threw it into that very fire. (13-85-9)
Then, as that sacrifice with blazing fires was commenced and while Brahman was offering oblations there, an appearance indeed occurred. (13-85-10)
O descendant of Bhṛgu, having taken up that just-fallen seed with the ladle, he offered it as a ghee-offering, accompanied by mantras, as well.
Then he, endowed with great power, brought forth the group of beings. After that, from that energy, the fiery essence was produced in the worlds. (13-85-12)
The states that arise from darkness are pervasive, as is goodness or both; that which possesses the qualities of light is always present, and in darkness, space also indeed exists. (13-85-13)
O Lord, in all beings, thus sattva, energy, and darkness likewise, when clarified butter was offered into the fire, in that, the three principles manifested. (13-85-14)
Men, endowed by form and by the qualities acquired at birth, just as Bhṛgu — who earlier became Aṅgirā from the coals — were thus endowed. (13-85-15)
Another (person), through resorting to embers, became known as Kavi; Bhṛgu was born together with the flames, therefore he is remembered as Bhṛgu. (13-85-16)
From Marīci came Kaśyapa, who was indeed descended from (or of) Marīci; O dear one, from the Aṅgāras came Aṅgirās, and from a heap of rocks, the Vālakilyas. Here, O lord, some also say that Atri was born as Atri. (13-85-17)
Thus, from those skilled in the removal of ashes, who were equal to groups of brahmaṛṣis, the Vaikhānasa sages arose, desirous of the virtues of austerity and knowledge of the Vedas. For one unlearned in scripture, the divine Aśvins, renowned for their beauty, arose from him. (13-85-18)
The remaining lords of beings were born from his channels. Sages arose from his hair pores, and from his sweat came the meter (chandas) with the nature of impurity. (13-85-19)
For this reason, the sages possessing scriptural knowledge, due to their recognition of the authority of the Veda, declare Agni to be indeed all the deities. (13-85-20)
Those exudations found in the woods called 'pakṣa' represent the months; days and nights, as well as mūhūrtas, correspond to bile, light, and the watery (element). (13-85-21)
They say the Raudra is red; from the red comes gold, which is known as Maitra and should be understood as such. From smoke also, the Vasus are known. (13-85-22)
The flames which are your Rudras, and similarly the Ādityas of great brilliance; those who have been mentioned are likewise the embers situated in the heavenly abodes. (13-85-23)
The prime lord and ruler of the world is said to be that supreme, unchanging Brahman—the giver of all desires; there he offered up the offering. (13-85-24)
Then the great god Varuna, of supreme essence, said: "This divine sacrifice is mine; I am the householder here." (13-85-25)
Those three former offspring are certainly mine, without doubt. Thus, O birds, know that as the result of my sacrifice. (13-85-26)
Agni said.
Those born from my limbs and created by depending on me are indeed my own offspring; Varuṇa, in fact, is of subordinate nature. (13-85-27)
Then the preceptor of the worlds, Brahmā, the paternal grandfather of the worlds said: Those are my offspring alone; it was my seed that was indeed offered. (13-85-28)
I am the speaker and the priest of the mantra, and indeed the practitioner of the generative principle; verily, the seed, of which the fruit arises, is considered to be the cause. (13-85-29)
Then all the groups of gods, having made reverent gesture with joined hands and bowing with their heads, approached the Grandfather (Brahmā) and spoke. (13-85-30)
O Lord, we along with all beings and the entire world, both moving and unmoving, are indeed your offspring; therefore, may Agni, the radiant one, and Varuṇa, the Lord god, obtain their desired wish. (13-85-31)
By nature, Varuṇa, lord of the aquatic beings and also son of Brahmā, indeed formerly accepted Bhṛgu as his offspring, whose splendor was like that of the sun. (13-85-32)
The Lord designated Aṅgiras as the son of Agni, but the Grandfather actually accepted as offspring Kavi, the sage who knows the truth. (13-85-33)
Then Bhṛgu, the renowned son of Varuṇa, became the procreator. Aṅgirāḥ, the illustrious and wise sage, was the son of Agni and greatly praised as a son of Brahmā. Bhṛgu and Aṅgirāḥ, in the world, are considered the founders of the human lineage. (13-85-34)
These excellent Brāhmaṇas, all three, are the lords of beings. Reflect that all this progeny is theirs. (13-85-35)
But Bhṛgu had seven sons there, all equal to Bhṛgu in qualities: Cyavana, Vajraśīrṣa, Śuci, Aurva, and others likewise. (13-85-36)
Śukra, Vareṇya, Vibhu, Savana, and the rest—these seven, all are Bhārgavas and Vāruṇas, and you too belong to their lineage. (13-85-37)
There are eight sons of Aṅgiras, also called the descendants of Varuṇa; Bṛhaspati, Utathya, Vayasyas, and Śānti are among them. (13-85-38)
Ghora, Virūpa, Saṁvarta, Sudhanvā, and the eighth named, these eight, all born of Agni, are devoted to knowledge and free from disease. (13-85-39)
The sons of Varuṇa, who are also mentioned as the eight sons of the Brāhmaṇa sage, are endowed by birth with auspicious qualities and are knowers of Brahman. (13-85-40)
The poet, Kāvya (Uśanas), Viṣṇu, the wise Uśanā, Bhṛgu, Virajā, Kāśī, Ugra, and the knower of dharma. (13-85-41)
These eight sons of the sage are indeed the lords of creatures; by these, the whole world is pervaded, and it is by them that these beings exist. (13-85-42)
Thus, O tiger among the Bhṛgus, the world is perpetually populated by the descendants and lineages of Aṅgiras, Kavi, and Bhṛgu. (13-85-43)
O brāhmaṇa, from the beginning, Varuṇa, the lord and ruler, accepted the sage Bhṛgu; therefore, those two are remembered as the vāruṇas (related to Varuṇa). (13-85-44)
The god Agni, the flaming one, was born from Aṅgiras; from him came the eater of offerings (Agni), and from him all those called Aṅgiras are understood to be his descendants. (13-85-45)
Brahmā, the grandsire, was previously propitiated by the gods. These lords of the world who are with us will cross over together with their people. (13-85-46)
All the lords of beings, and all who are exceedingly austere, by your favor will eternally rescue this world. (13-85-47)
In the same way, may your progenitors, who increase your splendor, all become Vedic scholars and eloquent speakers. (13-85-48)
The gentle great sages, who are descendants of Prajāpati and supporters of the gods, attain austerity and also the highest brahmacharya (spiritual discipline). (13-85-49)
O grandsire, all of us here are indeed born of you, O Lord. You are the creator of the gods and also of the brāhmaṇas. (13-85-50)
Having considered all the descendants from Marīci onwards, and having thus observed, O Bhārgavas, we pardon them, O grandfather. (13-85-51)
But those beings will be born in this very form, and they will also establish themselves similarly at the end of the age. (13-85-52)
Thus, this event took place long ago during the great-souled one's sacrifice—at the beginning of the worlds, when the best among the gods was bearing the form of Varuṇī. (13-85-53)
Agni, Brahmā, Paśupati, Śarva, Rudra, and Prajāpati—gold is indeed said to be the offspring of Agni; such is the belief. (13-85-54)
In the absence of fire, those who know the authoritative standard (such as Jāmadagnya), using what is taught in the Vedic śruti, use gold in place of fire. (13-85-55)
When one offers fire and gold placed upon the kuśa stalks, the Lord regards it as prosperity that brings delight. (13-85-56)
Therefore, all the gods are foremost in fire – thus we have heard. For Agni was indeed produced from Brahman, and from Agni also came gold. (13-85-57)
Therefore, it is heard by us that whoever gives gold to those who see righteousness, all the deities indeed bestow (the fruit of that gift).
He, O Bhārgava, attains worlds without darkness and the supreme state; in heaven he would be anointed with the sovereignty of kings. (13-85-59)
He who, at sunrise, gives gold in accordance with the prescribed ritual and mantra, indeed removes a bad dream. (13-85-60)
He who gives at the moment of sunrise, his sin is removed. Giving gold at midday destroys even the sin that has not yet arrived. (13-85-61)
Whoever, with steadfast vow, gives gold at evening twilight attains to the same realm as Brahman, Vāyu, Agni, and Soma. (13-85-62)
He attains auspicious status among the Indras and in the worlds; here, having gained fame in this world, he rejoices with his sins quelled. (13-85-63)
Then, he always attains the state of being incomparable among other worlds. He indeed becomes one with unimpeded movement, moving as he wishes. (13-85-64)
And it does not perish from them; he indeed always attains greatness; having given imperishable gold, he attains abundant worlds. (13-85-65)
But whoever, having kindled the fire at sunrise, makes an offering with intent, indeed attains all desires. (13-85-66)
They speak of fire in this way; the act of giving is truly a source of happiness, and that which is endowed with the desired qualities and prompts action is so regarded. (13-85-67)
Bhīṣma said;
Thus, when addressed by Vasiṣṭha, the mighty Jamadagni’s son gave gold to the Brāhmaṇas and was freed from sin. (13-85-68)
O king, all this has been told to you regarding gold: the fruit of giving it, its origin, and the supreme nature of fire. (13-85-69)
Therefore, you too should give much gold to the Brāhmaṇas. By giving gold, O king, you will be released from sin. (13-85-70)
