isdom give.' Repairing then to Vasishtha and Agastya and Kasyapa,
that delighter of the Bhrigus, endued with great energy, asked them that
question, 'Ye foremost of Brahmanas, even this is the wish that has
arisen in my heart. How, indeed, may I succeed in cleansing myself? By
what acts and rites may this be brought about? Or, if by gifts, what is
that article by giving away which this wish of mine may be accomplished?
Ye foremost of righteous persons, if your minds be inclined to do me a
favour, then do tell me, ye that are endued with wealth of asceticism,
what is that by which I may succeed in cleansing myself.'

"'"The Rishis said, 'O delighter of the Bhrigus, the mortal that has sinned
becomes cleansed by making gifts of kine, of earth, and of wealth. Even
this is what we have heard. There is another gift that is regarded as a
great cleanser. Listen to us, O regenerate Rishi, as we discourse on it.
That article is excellent and is endued with wonderful aspect and is,
besides, the offspring of Fire. In days of yore, the god Agni burnt all
the world. It has been heard by us that from his seed sprung gold of
bright complexion. It came to be celebrated under the name of good
complexioned. By making gifts of gold thou art sure to have thy wish
crowned with fruition.' Then the illustrious Vasishtha in especial, of
rigid vows, addressing him, said, 'Hear, O Rama, how gold, which has the
splendour of fire sprang into existence. That gold will confer merit on
thee. In matters of gifts, gold is highly applauded. I shall also tell
thee what is gold, whence it has come, and how it has come to be invested
with superior attributes. Listen to me, O thou of mighty arms, as I
discourse upon these topics. Know this as certain that gold is of the
essence of Fire and Soma. The goat is Fire (for if given, it leads to the
region of the deity of fire); the sheep is Varuna (for it leads to the
region of Varuna the lord of waters); the horse is Surya (for it leads to
the region of Surya); elephants are Nagas (for they lead to the world of
Nagas); buffaloes are Asuras (for they lead to the region of Asuras);
cocks and boars are Rakshasas (for they lead to the regions of the
Rakshasas), O delighter of the Bhrigus; earth is sacrifice, kine, water,
and Soma (for it leads to the merits of sacrifice, and to the region of
kine, of the lord of waters and of Soma). Even these are the declarations
of the Smritis. Churning the entire universe, a mass o