“The gods said, ’O lord of the earth, thou shouldst take care so that virtue may not sustain a diminution on earth!  Protected by thee, virtue itself will in return protect the universe.’  And Indra said, ’O king, protect virtue on earth attentively and rigidly.  Being virtuous, thou shalt, for all time, behold (in after life) many sacred regions.  And though I am of Heaven, and thou art of earth, yet art thou my friend and dear to me.  And, O king of men, dwell thou in that region on earth which is delightful, and aboundeth in animals, is sacred, full of wealth and corn, is well-protected like heaven, which is of agreeable climate, graced with every object of enjoyment, and blessed with fertility.  And, O monarch of Chedi, this thy dominion is full of riches, of gems and precious stones, and containeth, besides, much mineral wealth.  The cities and towns of this region are all devoted to virtue; the people are honest and contented; they never lie even in jest.  Sons never divide their wealth with their fathers and are ever mindful of the welfare of their parents.  Lean cattle are never yoked to the plough or the cart or engaged in carrying merchandise; on the other hand, they are well-fed and fattened.  In Chedi the four orders are always engaged in their respective vocations.  Let nothing be unknown to thee that happens in the three worlds.  I shall give thee a crystal car such as the celestials alone are capable of carrying the car through mid air.  Thou alone, of all mortals on earth, riding on that best of cars, shall course through mid-air like a celestial endued with a physical frame.  I shall also give thee a triumphal garland of unfading lotuses, with which on, in battle, thou shall not be wounded by weapons.  And, O king, this blessed and incomparable garland, widely known on earth as Indra’s garland, shall be thy distinctive badge.

“The slayer of Vritra (Indra) also gave the king, for his gratification, a bamboo pole for protecting the honest and the peaceful.  After the expiry of a year, the king planted it in the ground for the purpose of worshipping the giver thereof, viz., Sakra.  From that time forth, O monarch, all kings, following Vasu’s example, began to plant a pole for the celebration of Indra’s worship.  After erecting the pole they decked it with golden cloth and scents and garlands and various ornaments.  And the god Vasava is worshipped in due form with such garlands and ornaments.  And the god, for the gratification of the illustrious Vasu, assuming the form of a swan, came himself to accept the worship thus offered.  And the god, beholding the auspicious worship thus made by Vasu, that first of monarchs, was delighted, and said unto him, ’Those men, and kings also, who will worship me and joyously observe this festival of mine like the king of Chedi, shall have glory and victory for their countries and kingdom.  Their cities also shall expand and be ever in joy.’