13.103
The result of offering lamps and similar things.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
"How, indeed, did he fall and how was he thrown down to earth? And how did he attain to a state other than Indrahood? This, you ought to explain." (13-103-1)
Bhishma said.
Thus, while those two were conversing, all of the acts—both divine and human—of the great-souled king of the gods indeed took place. All these arose for him, the great-souled one. (13-103-3)
In the worlds of both gods and men, good conduct is regarded by the wise. If these exist, O King, householders prosper by offerings of incense, lamps, and proper reverence. (13-103-4)
Just as the best portion of prepared food is given to the twice-born, and offerings are made at the place of the house, in this way the deities are thereby pleased. (13-103-5)
Just as the satisfaction of the householder indeed arises by the act of offering, in the same way, a hundredfold delight of the deities arises. (13-103-6)
Thus, the virtuous praise the offering of incense and of lamps, when performed with salutations, as bringing about one’s own merit. (13-103-7)
Through bathing and the ritual use of water, whatever action is performed by the wise with reverential salutation, by that the deities are pleased. All household deities, too, are gratified when they are honored according to proper method. (13-103-8)
Thus, having adopted this course of action, Nahuṣa, the lord of men, upon attaining the great position of the lord of the gods, performed this remarkable deed. (13-103-9)
But then, when the time of someone's misfortune arrived, disregarding all this, he did not do anything like this. (13-103-10)
Then, deprived in this way, the lord of the gods ceased to receive the offering rites. He did not properly perform the prescribed acts with incense, lamps, and water. Therefore, the object of his sacrifice was hindered by demons. (13-103-11)
Then the mighty one, smiling as if, quickly summoned sage Agastya, the best among sages, to his vehicle from the bank of the Sarasvatī. (13-103-12)
Then Bhṛgu, of great splendour, said to the son of Mitra and Varuṇa: "Close your eyes, O Jaṭā, until I enter you." (13-103-13)
Then, Acyuta entered the matted locks of him who had become motionless; Bhrigu, possessed of great brilliance, did so indeed for the destruction of the king. (13-103-14)
Then, the king of the gods arrived to the sage in order to carry him. Then Agastya spoke to the lord of the gods, O lord of people. (13-103-15)
Order me quickly, O Indra—which place I shall carry you to. Wherever you say, there I will take you, O lord of gods. (13-103-16)
Thus, when addressed in this way, Nahuṣa, at his command, began to yoke that sage. Bhṛgu, remaining in his matted hair, became very delighted. (13-103-17)
Nor did Bhrigu show himself then; knowing the power of the boons of the great-souled Nahuṣa. (13-103-18)
But Agastya did not become angry, though he had been yoked by Nahuṣa. Yet the king urged him on with a goad, O Bhārata. (13-103-19)
He, the righteous-souled, did not become angry; then the king of the gods, being angry, struck Agastya's head with his left foot. (13-103-20)
After the head was struck, Bhṛgu, who was inside the matted locks, being intensely angry, cursed the evil-minded Nahuṣa. (13-103-21)
Bhrigu said;
Because you struck this great sage on the head with your foot out of anger, therefore, quickly go to earth as a snake, O wicked-minded one. (13-103-22)
O bull among the Bharatas, thus addressed, he then, having become a serpent by him, indeed fell on the earth by the unseen Bhṛgu. (13-103-23)
O lord of the earth, if Nahuṣa had truly seen Bhṛgu, he would not have been able to bring him down by his (Bhṛgu's) energy. (13-103-24)
But he, O great king, though fallen on the earth, by means of various gifts, austerities, and observances, regained his memory. He sought to propitiate Bhṛgu, thinking, "May the end of my curse come." (13-103-25)
Then Agastya, filled with compassion, appeased Bṛgu for the purpose of ending the curse, O great king; and he, being compassionate, granted it. (13-103-26)
Bhrigu said.
A king named Yudhiṣṭhira, the glory of the Kurus, will exist; he will deliver you from the curse—having said this, he disappeared. (13-103-27)
Agastya, the illustrious sage, having fulfilled the task for Śatakratu (Indra), went to his own hermitage, honored by the twice-born (Brāhmaṇas). (13-103-28)
O king, even Nahuṣa was liberated from that curse by you; he went to the abode of Brahman while you, O lord of people, were watching. (13-103-29)
Then Bhṛgu, after causing Nahuṣa to fall to the earth, went to the abode of Brahmā and informed Brahmā about it. (13-103-30)
Then, having Indra brought, the grandsire said to the gods: "By my boon, O gods, Nahusha has obtained the kingdom." But he, having been deprived by the angry Agastya, went down to the earth. (13-103-31)
And it is not possible for the gods to be sustained anywhere without a king; therefore, let this Śakra be consecrated again in the sovereignty of the gods. (13-103-32)
While the grandsire was thus speaking, O Pārtha, the gods joyfully replied to him, saying, "Let it be so." (13-103-33)
O tiger among kings, Vāsava (Indra), having been anointed by the Venerable Brahmā with the sovereignty of the gods, shone as before. (13-103-34)
Thus, this occurred in the past due to Nahuṣa's transgression. And Nahuṣa again achieved [his result] by those same actions. (13-103-35)
Therefore, lamps must be donated in the evening by householders. One who gives lamps attains divine sight after death. Those who give lamps also become radiant like the full moon. (13-103-36)
For as many eye blinks as the lamp burns, for that many years, a man who gives a lamp becomes beautiful and wealthy. (13-103-37)
