An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s1.431

c5.s1.431

thira* as to what gifts kings should make, what gifts immediately gratify the brahmans, what fruits attach to them, what gifts are productive of rewards both here and hereafter, *Bhīshma* related the answer he had received from *Nārada* when he put the same question to him: a gift of food made to even a *Cāṇḍāla* or a dog is never lost; in a former *Kalpa* (*purā kalpe*) *Prajāpati* said that food is *amṛta*, etc.; *Agni* and *Soma* in the body create and maintain the vital seed; thus the sun and wind (*Pavaṇaḥ*) and the vital seed spring and act from food; description of the regions of heaven reserved to those that make gifts of food (XIII, 63). *Yudhishṭhira* enquired after the conjunctions of the planets and stars in relation to gifts. *Bhīshma* repeated the ancient narrative of the discourse between *Devala* and R. *Nārada* at *Dvārakā*, where *Nārada* answered this very question. *Devala* in her turn told it to her daughters-in-law (XIII, 64). Various merits of various kinds of gifts, *Bhīshma* referring to *Atri*, etc. (γ); ghee is said to gratify *Bṛhaspati*, etc. (δ), (XIII, 65). Asked by *Yudhishṭhira*, *Bhīshma* commented on the gift of sandals and shoes, and of sesame, and land, and kine, and food; sesame seeds were created by *Brahmān* as the best food of the *Pitṛs*, etc.; *Āpastamba*, etc. (ε), have all ascended to heaven by means of making gifts of sesame seeds. Once the gods, desirous of performing a sacrifice on the earth, repaired to *Himavat* and obtained from him a clod of earth (which the *munis* should always adore); there came *Agastya*, etc. (ζ); the gods attached one-sixth of the merit arising from their sacrifice to the gift of earth; in days of yore king *Rantideva* performed a grand sacrifice, in which an immense number of kine were slaughtered; from the juice of their skins the river *Carmaṇvatī* was formed; king *Rantideva*, in days of yore, ascended to heaven on account of his having given gifts of food; the cow should never be given away for slaughter; what kine should not be given to brahmans; he referred to *Pāraçara*; the seasons when gifts of food produce particular merits (XIII, 66). Asked by *Yudhishṭhira*, *Bhīshma* dealt with the merits that attach to gifts of drink, quoting *Sāvitrī* and *Lomaça* and *Manu*, and mentioning *Çibi*; *Soma*, etc. (η), has sprung from water; D. have *amṛta* for their food, N. have *Sudhā*, P. have *Svadha* (XIII, 67). *Yudhishṭhira* asked about the merits that attach to gifts of sesame and lamps for lighting darkness, as also of food and robes; *Bhīshma* told the narrative of the conversation between a brahman and *Yama*, in ancient times, in the large town of *Parṇaçālā* (inhabited by brahmans) between *Yamunā* and *Gaṅgā*, at the foot of the *Yamunā* hills; one day *Yama* commanded a messenger of his (description) to bring the person named *Carmin* of *Agastya's* race from this town (*Agastyam gotrataḥ*), not confounding him with another of the same *gotra*; he should be worshipped with respect. The messenger did the very reverse; *Yama* ordered the soul to be taken back and *Carmin* to be brought; the former, however, first instructed by *Yama* regarding his error, the messenger conveyed him back and *Carmin* to *Yama*, having given him the same respect, ordered him to be taken back to his abode; this *Carmin* is regarded as benefiting the world by the power of vision of D. *Bhīshma* spoke about a gift of gems (XIII, 68). Asked, without solicitation, reverted to the subject of gifts, with especial reference to the merit of gifts of food, given to a person who is not a beggar, for the sake of the calamity of the world.