13.102
The result of offering flowers and similar gifts.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O best of the Bharatas, I have heard about the fruit of those who offer flowers and incense in the arrangement of offerings; you ought to explain that again. (13-102-1)
What is the result of offering incense, a lamp, and other offerings? For what reason are these indeed offered by householders? (13-102-2)
Bhīṣma said.
Here too is cited an ancient account: the dialogue between Agastya and Bhṛgu concerning Nahuṣa. (13-102-3)
Nahuṣa indeed, O great king, was a royal sage of great austerity, who attained the kingdom of the gods here by virtuous actions. (13-102-4)
O king, even there, Nahusha, dwelling in heaven, performed various human and divine rites with diligence. (13-102-5)
O king, there, all the actions of that great-souled human, indeed, originated in heaven; they are truly divine and eternal. (13-102-6)
Fire rituals, sticks, kuśa grass, flowers, food offerings with rice and parched grain, the offering of incense, and lighting of lamps (13-102-7)
Everything in the house of the great-souled king was set in motion. He performed sacrifices of recitation and of the mind, even in heaven. (13-102-8)
O subduer of foes, he, the lord of the gods, worshipped all the deities properly, in accordance with propriety, as before. (13-102-9)
Then, O king, because of Indra’s inclination toward the future, ego entered him, and all his actions began to decline.
He, filled with the pride from receiving a boon, made the sages serve him; being deprived of proper actions, he also became weak. (13-102-11)
While he, overpowered by ego, was driving away the chief ascetic sages, a very long time passed for him. (13-102-12)
Then, the turn for transporting the sages began. And, O Bhārata, the turn of Agastya also arrived. (13-102-13)
Then the radiant Bhṛgu, foremost among the knowers of Brahman, came and, having approached the one living in Agastya's hermitage, spoke these words. (13-102-14)
Thus, O great sage, for what reason should we tolerate the disrespect toward Indra from this evil-minded Nahuṣa? (13-102-15)
Agastya said.
O great sage, how can I possibly curse this one, to whom, by you—the granter of boons—a boon has been given, and who is also known to you? (13-102-16)
"Whoever should enter my range of sight should become subject to me"—with this intent, the boon was requested from the god as he was going to heaven. (13-102-17)
Thus, there is no doubt that he was not burnt by me or by you. Even by another foremost sage, he was neither cursed nor overthrown. (13-102-18)
O lord, nectar was indeed formerly given to him to drink; for that very purpose, it is not relinquished by us to the great-souled one. (13-102-19)
The god granted a boon that caused suffering to the people. That vilest of men commits acts associated with unrighteousness among the twice-born. (13-102-20)
Here, please tell us what is timely, O best of speakers. Whatever your honor may suggest, that we will do accordingly. (13-102-21)
Bhṛgu said.
I have come to you by the command of the grandsire, in order to counter the arrogance assumed by the mighty Nahusha. (13-102-22)
Today, indeed, the very evil-minded king of the gods will yoke you to the chariot. Today, by my power, I will make that arrogant one without Indra. (13-102-23)
Today I will establish Indra—the thousand-tasked—in his place before your eyes, after casting out the evil-minded doer of wicked deeds from Indra's throne. (13-102-24)
Today, that false king of the gods will insult you by his foot. Because his mind is overcome by fate, he acts for his own destruction, being of dull understanding. (13-102-25)
I, deeply enraged by his outrageous act, at him whose righteousness has departed, shall angrily curse, saying: "Become a serpent"—for the sinner who injures a Brahmin. (13-102-26)
Therefore, O great sage, I will cast down this extremely wicked one, whose radiance has been subdued by the word 'dhi', onto the earth before your very eyes. (13-102-27)
I will deal with Nahusha—who, possessed of evil deeds and deluded by the power of sovereignty—in whatever way is pleasing to you, O sage. (13-102-28)
Thus, when addressed by Bhṛgu, the imperishable son of Mitrāvaruṇa, Agastya became greatly pleased and free from distress. (13-102-29)
