saying, ‘My penances have been well-practised.’  Of inconceivable soul, possessed of great intelligence, and ever devoted to the religion of truth, Sankara saw that Usanas within his stomach had become greater in consequence of those penances of his.[1495] That foremost of Yogins (viz., Usanas), rich with that wealth of penances and the wealth (he had appropriated from Kuvera), shone brightly in the three worlds, endued with great energy.[1496] After this, Mahadeva armed with Pinaka, that soul of Yoga, once more betook himself to Yoga-meditation.  Usanas, however, filled with anxiety, began to wander within the stomach of the great god.  The great ascetic began to hymn the praises of the god from where he was, desirous of finding an outlet for escape.  Rudra, however, having stopped all his outlets, prevented him from coming out.  The great ascetic Usanas, however, O chastiser of foes, from within Mahadeva’s stomach, repeatedly addressed the god, saying, ‘Show me thy kindness!’ Unto him Mahadeva said, ‘Go out through my urethra.’  He had stopped up all other outlets of his body.  Confined on every side and unable to find out the outlet indicated, the ascetic began to wander hither and thither, burning all the while with Mahadeva’s energy.  At last he found the outlet and issued through it.  In consequence of this fact he came to be called by the name of Sukra, and it is in consequence of that fact he also became unable to attain (in course of his wandering) the central point of the firmament.  Beholding him come out of his stomach and shining brightly with energy, Bhava, filled with anger, stood with lance uplifted in his hand.  The goddess Uma then interposed and forbade the angry lord of all creatures, viz., her spouse, to slay the Brahmana.  And in consequence of Uma’s having thus prevented her lord from accomplishing his purpose the ascetic Usanas (from the day) became the son of the goddess.’

“The goddess said, ’This Brahmana no longer deserves to be slain by thee.  He has become my son.  O god, one who comes out of thy stomach does not deserve slaughter at thy hands.’

“Bhishma continued, ’Pacified by these words of his spouse, Bhava smiled and said repeatedly these words, O king, ’Let this one go whithersoever he likes.’  Bowing unto the boon-giving Mahadeva and to also his spouse the goddess Uma, the great ascetic Usanas, endued with superior intelligence, proceeded to the place he chose.  I have thus narrated to thee, O chief of the Bharatas, the story of the high-souled Bhargava about which thou didst ask me.’”

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“Yudhishthira said, ’O thou of mighty arms, tell me, after this what is beneficial for us.  O grandsire, I am never satiated with thy words which seem to me like Amrita.  What are those good acts, O best of men, by accomplishing which a man succeeds in obtaining what is for his highest benefit both here and hereafter, O giver of boons!’