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.s1.445

c5.s1.445

munis, distributed into seven groups [of] seven; they are the creators of peace [śānti-] and good (-svasti-) and the regents of the quarters (diśām pālāḥ); one should turn his face in that direction in which one of these R. live, and take refuge with him; they are the creators of all creatures and the purifiers of the worlds [this is the order in B., where v. 7121: Rāmo Vyāsas . . . is placed before v. 7120: śānti-svastikārā loke . . . ]; Samvartta, etc. (including Sāṃkhya and Yoga) (λ), have practised severe penances and are celebrated over the three worlds; there are others resembling Rudra, in Brahmaloka, through whom the sonless obtains a son, and the poor obtains wealth; one should also praise Pṛthu, etc. (μ), [und] Sāṃkhya and Yoga, Havya and Kavya, and Supreme Bráhman; one should praise them morning and evening; then there is no fear from fire or thieves, nor from Pṛ. and Rā., etc.; P. cat that man'a kavya, and the gods his havya (so B.), who recites [these names: Sāvitrī, v. 7146, 7149, 7158; mahad bráhma Sāvitrīguṇakīrtanam, v. 7150; Sāvitrīm para-mām gatim, v. 7155; Sāvitrī bráhma śācvatī, v. 7161] at his rites for D. and P.; they contribute to the peace (śāntim) of all the four castes; when setting out on a journey, etc., on every occasion one should recite them; it is a great mystery of R., etc. This ancient tale contains the opinion of the accomplished (siddhasya) Parāçara, and in former days was recited to Indra; [it is] the veritable eternal Bráhman, the heart of all creatures and the eternal çruti; all [the princes] of the race of Sūrya and of Soma, i.e. the Rāghavas and the Kurus, always recite it after having purified themselves (çuçayaḥ); there is rescue from every calamity in always reciting [the names of] D., seven R. (Saptarṣiṇām), and Dhruva; [† v. 7157-8 are each of 38 syllables; † v. 7159-60 are each of 2 × 28 syllables]: the old B.-r. Kaçyapa, etc. (ν), have worshipped them; [being] the opinion of Bhāradvāja they were obtained by the sons of Ṛcīka; having acquired them again from Vasiṣṭha, Çakra and the Vasus vanquished all D.; the man who makes a present of 100 cows with their horns covered with gold to a learned brahman, and he who causes the excellent Bhārata story to be always recited, these two acquire [equal] merit; the benefits obtained by praising Bhṛgu, etc. (ξ) (XIII, 151).—§ 771: Asked by Yudhishṭhira what course of conduct towards the various classes of persons is regarded faultless, Bhīshma eulogised the brahmans, who are attentive to P., D., and guests; who eat the first portions of havya and kavya; who by their very eating rescue the three worlds from great fear; whose wealth consists in all the çikshās and the çruti; whose wrath yet burns in the Daṇḍaka wood, etc. (XIII, 152).—§ 772: Asked by Yudhishṭhira what is the reward attached to the worship of brahmans, Bhīshma told the old narrative of a conversation between Vāyu (the Wind) and Arjuna [Kārtavīrya]: Pavanārjuna-saṃvāda (δ) (XIII, 153-158).—§ 773: Asked by Yudhishṭhira about the prosperity resulting from the worship of brahmans, Bhīshma, saying that the time of his death was near, and that he has recited all the duties mentioned by him, referred him to Kṛshṇa (δ) (XIII, 159).