ossessed of wealth of penances and high energy, became
filled with wonder so that the hair on his body stood erect. Addressing
them he said, 'Ye that are all possessed of wealth of penances, tell us
what the merits are that attach to the setting free of bulls endued with
blue complexion. What merits, again, attach to the gift of lamps in the
season of rains and the gift of water with sesame seeds?'

"'"The Pitris said, 'If a bull of blue complexion, upon being set free,
raises a (small) quantity of water with its tail, the Pitris (of the
person that has set that bull free) become gratified with that water for
full sixty thousand years. The mud such a bull raises with its horns from
the banks (of a river or lake), succeeds, without doubt, in sending the
Pitris (of the person that sets the animal free) to the region of Soma.
By giving lamps in the season of rains, one shines with effulgence like
Soma himself. The man who gives lamps is never subject to the attribute
of Darkness. Those men who make gifts, on the day of the new moon, of
sesame seeds and water, mixed with honey and using a vessel of copper, O
thou that art possessed of wealth of penances, are regarded as duly
performing a Sraddha with all its mysteries. These men get children of
sound health and cheerful minds. The merit acquired by the giver of the
Pinda (to the Pitris) takes the form of the growth of his race. Verily,
he who performs these acts with faith, becomes freed from the debt he
owes to the Pitris. Even thus has been laid down the proper time for the
performance of the Sraddha, the ordinance in respect of the rites to be
observed, the proper person that should be fed at the Sraddha, and the
merits that attach to it.' I have declared everything to thee in due
order."'"

SECTION CXXVI

"'Bhishma said, "The chief of the deities, Indra, after the Pitri has
ceased to speak, addressed the puissant Hari, saying, 'O Lord, what are
those acts by which thou becomest gratified? How, indeed, do men succeed
in gratifying thee?'

"'"Vishnu said, 'That which I greatly hate is the detraction of Brahmanas;
without doubt, if the Brahmanas are worshipped, I regard myself
worshipped. All superior Brahmanas should always be saluted with
reverence, after feeding them with hospitality. One should reverence
one's own feet also (in the evening). I am gratified with men who act in
this way, as also with those who worship and make offerings to the whirl
that is notic