SECTION CLXXXIII
(Chaitraratha Parva continued)
"The Gandharva continued, 'The Brahmana sage
(Parasara) thus addressed by the illustrious Vasishtha restrained his wrath
from destroying the worlds. But the Rishi Parasara endued with great
energy--the son of Saktri--the foremost of all persons acquainted with the
Vedas--performed a grand Rakshasa sacrifice. And remembering the slaughter of
(his father) Saktri, the great Muni began to consume the Rakshasas, young and
old, in the sacrifice he performed. And Vasishtha did not restrain him from
this slaughter of the Rakshasa, from the determination of not obstructing this
second vow (of his grandson). And in that sacrifice the great Muni Parasara sat
before three blazing fires, himself like unto a fourth fire. And the son of
Saktri, like the Sun just emerging from the clouds, illuminated the whole
firmament by that stainless sacrifice of his into which large were the
libations poured of clarified butter. Then Vasishtha and the other Rishis
regarded that Muni blazing with his own energy as if he were the second Sun.
Then the great Rishi Atri of liberal soul desirous of ending that sacrifice, an
achievement highly difficult for others,--came to that place. And there also
came, O thou slayer of all foes, Pulastya and Pulaha, and Kratu the performer
of many great sacrifices, all influenced by the desire of saving the Rakshasas.
And, O thou bull of the Bharata race, Pulastya then, seeing that many Rakshasas
had already been slain, told these words unto Parasara that oppressor of all
enemies:
'There is no obstruction, I hope, to this
sacrifice of thine, O child! Takest thou any pleasure, O child, in this
slaughter of even all those innocent Rakshasas that know nothing of thy
father's death. It behoveth thee not to destroy any creatures thus. This, O
child, is not the occupation of a Brahmana devoted to asceticism. Peace is the
highest virtue. Therefore, O Parasara, establish thou peace. How hast thou, O
Parasara, being so superior, engaged thyself in such a sinful practice? It
behoveth not thee to transgress against Saktri himself who was well-acquainted
with all rules of morality. It behoveth not thee to extirpate any creatures. O
descendant of Vasishtha's race, that which befell thy father was brought about
by his own curse. It was for his own fault that Saktri was taken hence unto
heaven. O Muni, no Rakshasa was capable of devouring Saktri; he himself
provided for his own death. And, O Parasara, Viswamitra was only a blind
instrument in that matter. Both Saktri and Kalmashapada, having ascended to
heaven are enjoying great happiness. And, the other sons also of the great
Rishi Vasishtha who were younger than Saktri, are even now enjoying themselves
with the celestials. And, O child, O offspring of Vasishtha's son, thou hast
also been, in this sacrifice, only an instrument in the destruction of these
innocent Rakshasas. O, blest be thou! Abandon this sacrifice of thine. Let it
come to an end.'
"The Gandharva continued, 'Thus addressed by
Pulastya, as also by the intelligent Vasishtha, that mighty Muni--the son of
Saktri then brought that sacrifice to an end. And the Rishi cast the fire that
he had ignited for the purpose of the Rakshasas' sacrifice into the deep woods
on the north of the Himavat. And that fire may be seen to this day consuming
Rakshasas and trees and stones in all seasons.'"
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