pletion after duly offering the accustomed adorations to the Deities.
King Uparichara also, having completed his great sacrifice, began to rule
his subjects righteously. At last, casting off his body, he ascended to
heaven. After some time, through the curse of the Brahmanas, he fell down
from those regions of felicity and sank deep into the bowels of the
Earth. King Vasu, O tiger among monarchs, was always devoted to the true
religion. Although sunk deep into the bowels of the Earth, his devotion
to virtue did not abate. Ever devoted to Narayana, and ever reciting
sacred mantras having Narayana for their deity, he once more ascended to
heaven through Narayana's grace. Ascending from the bowels of the Earth,
king Vasu in consequence of the very highest end that he attained,
proceeded to a spot that is even higher than the region of Brahman
himself."'"[1812]

SECTION CCCXXXVIII

"'Yudhishthira said, "When the great king Vasu was so wholly devoted to
Narayana, for what reason then did he fall down from heaven and why again
had he to sink beneath the surface of the Earth?"

"'Bhishma said, "In this connection is cited an old narrative, O Bharata,
of a discourse between the Rishis and the gods. The gods, once on a time,
addressing many foremost of Brahmanas, said unto them that sacrifices
should be performed by offering up Ajas as victims. By the word Aja
should be understood the goat and no other animal.

"'"The Rishis said, 'The Vedic Sruti declares that in sacrifices the
offerings should consist of (vegetable) seeds. Seeds are called Ajas. It
behoveth you not to slay goats. Ye deities, that cannot be the religion
of good and righteous people in which slaughter of animals is laid down.
This, again, is the Krita age. How can animals be slaughtered in this
epoch of righteousness?'"

"'Bhishma continued, "While this discourse was going between the Rishis and
the deities, that foremost of kings, viz., Vasu, was seen to come that
way. Endued with great prosperity, the king was coming through the
welkin, accompanied by his troops and vehicles and animals. Beholding
king Vasu coming to that spot through the skies, the Brahmanas addressing
the deities, said,--'This one will remove our doubts. He performs
sacrifices. He is liberal in making gifts. He always seeks the good of
all creatures. How, indeed, will the great Vasu, speak otherwise,'--Having
thus spoken unto each other, the deities and the Rishis quickly
approached