before them.  And they that have given kine, proceed along the way happily, freed from all their sins.  And they that have fasted for a month, proceed on cars drawn by swans.  And they who have fasted for six nights, proceed on cars drawn by peacocks.  And, O son of Pandu, he that fasteth three nights upon only one meal without a second during this period goeth into a region free from disease and anxiety.  And water hath this excellent property that it produceth happiness in the region of Yama.  And they that give water find for themselves a river there of the name of Pushpodaka.  And the givers of water on the earth drink cool and ambrosial draughts from that stream.  And they that are of evil deeds have pus ordained for them.  Thus, O great king, that river serveth all purposes.  Therefore, O king, adore thou duly these Brahmanas (that are with thee).  Weak in limbs owing to the way he has walked, and besmeared with the dust of the high-road, the traveller enquireth for the name of him who giveth food, and cometh in hope to his house.  Adore thou him with reverent attention, for he indeed is a guest, and he is a Brahmana.  The gods with Indra at their head follow him as he proceedeth.  And if he is adored, the gods with Indra become gratified, and if he is not adored, the celestials with their chief become cheerless.  Therefore, O thou foremost of kings, worship thou these Brahmanas duly.  I have thus spoken to thee upon a hundred subjects.  What dost thou desire to hear from me again?’

“Yudhishthira said, ’O master, conversant thou art with virtue and morality, and so I desire to repeatedly listen to thee as thou speakest on sacred subjects appertaining to virtue and morals.’

“Markandeya said, ’O king, I will now speak on another sacred subject appertaining to eternal interests and capable of washing off all sins.  Listen thou with rapt attention.  O thou foremost of the Bharatas, the merit equal to that of giving away a Kapila cow in (the tirtha called) Jyeshtha-Pushkara arises from washing the feet of Brahmanas.  As long as the earth remains wet with water which a Brahmana hath touched with his feet, so long do Pitris drink water of cups made of lotus-leaves.  If the guest is welcomed (with enquiries about his welfare), the deities of fire become glad; and if he is offered a seat, it is the god of a hundred sacrifices, who is gratified.  If his feet are washed, it is the Pitris who are delighted; and if he is fed it is Prajapati that is pleased.  One should with collected soul, give a cow when (during her throes) the feet and head of her calf are visible, before her delivery is complete.  A cow with her calf in the air in course of falling from the uterus to the earth, is to be regarded as equal to the earth herself.  He, therefore, that giveth away such a cow, reapeth the merit of giving away the earth.  And he that giveth away such a cow, is adored in heaven for as many thousands of Yugas as there are bristles on the bodies of the animal