“Bhishma said, ’I shall, in this connection, recite to thee the ancient narrative of the benefit that Kundadhara in days of old had conferred upon one who was devoted to him.  Once on a time a Brahmana destitute of wealth sought to acquire virtue, induced by the desire of fruit.  He continually set his heart upon wealth for employing it in the celebration of sacrifices.  For achieving his purpose he set himself to the practice of the austerest penances.  Resolved to accomplish his purpose, he began to worship the deities with great devotion.  But he failed to obtain wealth by such worship of the deities.  He thereupon began to reflect, saying unto himself, ’What is that deity, hitherto unadored by men, who may be favourably disposed towards me without delay?’ While reflecting in this strain with a cool mind, he beheld stationed before him that retainer of the deities, viz., the Cloud called Kundadhara.  As soon as he beheld that mighty-armed being, the Brahmana’s feelings of devotion were excited, and he said unto himself, ’This one will surely bestow prosperity upon me.  Indeed, his form indicates as much.  He lives in close proximity to the deities.  He has not as yet been adored by other men.  He will verily give me abundant wealth without any delay.’  The Brahmana, then, having concluded thus, worshipped that Cloud with dhupas and perfumes and garlands of flowers of the most superior kind, and with diverse kinds of offerings.  Thus worshipped, the Cloud became very soon pleased with his worshipper and uttered these words fraught with benefit to that Brahmana, ’The wise have ordained expiation for one guilty of Brahmanicide, or of drinking alcohol or of stealing, or of neglecting all meritorious vows.  There is no expiation, however, for one that is ungrateful.[1278] Expectation hath a child named Iniquity.  Ire, again, is regarded to be a child of Envy.  Cupidity is the child of Deceit.  Ingratitude, however, is barren (and hath no offspring).  After this, that Brahmana, stretched on a bed of Kusa grass, and penetrated with the energy of Kundadhara, beheld all living beings in a dream.  Indeed, in consequence of his absence of passion, penances, and devotion, that Brahmana of cleansed soul, standing aloof from all (carnal) enjoyments, beheld in the night that effect of his devotion to Kundadhara.  Indeed, O Yudhishthira, he beheld the high-souled Manibhadra of great effulgence stationed in the midst of the deities, employed in giving his orders.  There the gods seemed to be engaged in bestowing kingdoms and riches upon men, induced by their good deeds, and in taking them away when men fell off from goodness.[1279] Then, O bull of Bharata’s race, Kundadhara of great effulgence, bending himself low, prostrated himself on the ground before the gods in the presence of all the Yakshas.  At the command of the gods the high-souled Manibhadra addressed the prostrate Kundadhara and said, ‘What does Kundadhara want?’ Thereupon Kundadhara replied, ’If, indeed, the gods are