of the year produceth merit that is inexhaustible.  A gift also that is made while the Sun is on the solstitial points, one again that is made on the last day of the Sun’s path through Libra, Aries, Gemini, Virgo, and Pisces, a gift again during eclipses of the Moon and the Sun, produce merit that is inexhaustible.  The learned have also said that gifts made during the seasons produce merit that is ten times, those made during the change of seasons, a hundred times—­and those made during the days when Rahu is visible, a thousand times—­greater than what is produced by gifts at other time; while a gift made on the last day of the Sun’s course through Libra and Aries produces merit that knows no diminution.  O king, no one can enjoy landed possessions unless he giveth away land, and no one can go on cars and vehicles unless he giveth away these.  Indeed a person on rebirth obtaineth the fruition of whatever objects he hath in view at the time of making a gift to a Brahmana.  Gold hath sprung from Fire; the Earth from Vishnu; and the cows from the Sun.  He, therefore, that giveth away gold, land, and kine attaineth all the regions of Agni, Vishnu, and the Sun.  There is nothing so eternal as a gift.  Where, therefore, in the three worlds is anything that is more auspicious?  It is for this, O king, that they who have great intelligence say that there is nothing higher and greater in the three worlds than gift!’”

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Vaisampayana said, “Having, O great king, heard from the illustrious Markandeya the history of the attainment of heaven by the royal sage Indradyumna, Yudhishthira, that bull of the Bharata race, once more asked that sinless Muni endued with great ascetic merit and long life, saying, ’Thou knowest, O virtuous one, the entire host of the gods, the Danavas, and the Rakshasas.  Thou art acquainted also with various royal genealogies and many eternal lines of Rishis!  O best of Brahmanas, there is nothing in this world that thou dost not know!  Thou knowest also, O Muni, many delightful stories about men, Snakes and Rakshasas; about gods, Gandharvas, and Yakshas, and about Kinnaras and Apsaras!  I desire now to hear from thee, O best of Brahmanas, as to why Kuvalaswa—­that unvanquished king of Ikshavaku’s race changed his name, assuming another, viz., Dhundhumara.  O thou best of Bhrigu’s line, I desire to know in detail why the name of Kuvalaswa of great intelligence underwent such a change!’”

Vaisampayana continued, “Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, the great Muni Markandeya, O Bharata, then began the history of Dhundhumara!”