suras. That discourse was next recited by Manu
unto the Rishi Suvarna. Suvarna, in his turn, recited it to Narada. The
celestial Rishi Narada recited unto me the merits that attach to the
several acts mentioned. Informed of those merits, do thou, O son, perform
the several acts mentioned!"'"

SECTION XCIX

"'Yudhishthira said, "I have, O chief of the Bharatas, heard what the
merits are that are won by presenters of flowers and incense and lights.
I have heard thee speak also of the merits that attach to a due
observance of the ordinances in respect of the presentation of the Vali.
It behoveth thee, O grandsire, to discourse unto me once more on this
subject. Indeed, tell me, O sire, once more of the merits of presenting
incense and lights. Why are Valis offered on the ground by persons
leading the domestic mode of life?"

"'Bhishma said, "In this connection is recited the old narrative of the
discourse between Nahusha and Agastya and Bhrigu. The royal sage Nahusha,
O monarch, possessed of wealth of penances, acquired the sovereignty of
Heaven by his own good deeds. With restrained senses, O king, he dwelt in
Heaven, engaged in doing diverse acts of both human and celestial nature.
From that high-souled monarch flowed diverse kinds of human acts and
diverse kinds of celestial acts also, O chief of men. The diverse rites
with respect to the sacrificial fire, the collection of sacred fuel and
of Kusa grass, as also of flowers, and the presentation of Vali
consisting of food adorned with fried paddy (reduced to powder), and the
offer of incense and of light,--all these, O monarch, occurred daily in
the abode of that high-souled king while he dwelt in heaven. Indeed,
though dwelling in heaven, he performed the sacrifice of Japa (or silent
recitation) and the sacrifice of meditation. And, O chastiser of foes,
Nahusha, although he had become the chief of the deities, yet worshipped
all the deities, as he used to do in days of yore, with due rites and
ceremonies. Some time after, Nahusha realised his position as the chief
of all the deities. This filled him with pride. From that time all his
acts (of the kind spoken of) were suspended. Filled with arrogance in
consequence of the boon he had received from all the deities, Nahusha
caused the very Rishis to bear him on their shoulders. In consequence,
however, of his abstention from all religious acts, his energy began to
sustain a diminution. The time was very long for whic