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.s1.443.6

c5.s1.443.6

Skanda recommended to smear one's body for three days with earth from the horns of a dark-coloured bull, and then to perform one's ablutions; to offer cooked food with honey, in an udumbara vessel, as bali to the moon on the evening of the day of full-moon, which offer is accepted by Sā., etc. (γ), and whereby Soma and the Ocean increase * (spoken by Vishnu). Bhishma said that these mysteries (respected by D. and promulgated by Vyāsa) are even superior to the whole earth († v. 6198), and should not be imparted to any unbeliever, etc. (XIII, 134).—§ 767: Asked by Yudhishthira, Bhishma enumerated those persons from which a brahman, a kshattriya, a vaiçya, and a çūdra may take his food, etc. (XIII, 135). Asked by Yudhishthira, Bhishma expounded the expiations which purify a brahman of the sin he incurs by accepting forbidden food (especially offered to D. and P.); without having performed his ablutions, a brahman should not say his evening prayers, etc.; for this reason the çrāddha has been ordained to be performed in the afternoon (XIII, 136). Asked by Yudhishthira which is better, charity (dāna) or devotion (tapas), Bhishma enumerated the pious princes who have attained to heaven (lokāḥ) (a). “These and many other men (houscholders) have attained to heaven by charity and penances, and return again and again. As night approaches, I shall explain to thee in the morning whatever doubts may arise in thy mind” (XIII, 137).