Performing his oblations he ’cleansed himself from his sin.  And because that sacred water was illumined (abhasita) by Shoma, therefore was it from that day called by the name of Prabhasa.  In consequence, however, of the curse denounced upon him in days of old by Daksha, Shoma, to this day, begins to wane from the night of the full moon till his total disappearance on the night of the new moon whence he once more begins to wax till the night of full moon.  The brightness also of the lunar disc from that time received a stain, for the body of Shoma, since then, has come to present certain dark spots.  In fact, the splendid disc of the moon has, from that day, come to exhibit the mark of a hare.  Once on a time, a Rishi of the name of Sthulasiras was engaged in practising very severe austerities on the northern breasts of the mountains of Meru.  While engaged in those austerities, a pure breeze, charged with all kinds of delicious perfumes, began to blow there and fan his body.  Scorched as his body was by the very severe austerities he was undergoing, and living as he did upon air alone to the exclusion of every kind of food, he became highly gratified in consequence of that delicious breeze which blew around him.  While he was thus gratified with the delicious breeze that fanned him, the trees around him (moved by jealousy) put forth their flowers for making a display and extorting his praise.  Displeased at this conduct of the trees because it was dictated by jealousy, the Rishi cursed them, saying,—­Henceforth, ye shall not be able to put forth your flowers at all times.—­In days of yore, for doing good to the world, Narayana took birth as the great Rishi Vadavamukha.  While engaged in practising severe austerities on the breast of Meru, he summoned the Ocean to his presence.  The Ocean, however, disobeyed his summons.  Incensed at this, the Rishi, with the heat of his body, caused the waters of the Ocean to become as saltish in taste as the human sweat.  The Rishi further said.—­Thy waters shall henceforth cease to be drinkable.  Only when the Equine-head, roving within thee, will drink thy waters, they will be as sweet as honey.  It is for this curse that the waters of the Ocean to this day are saltish to the taste and are drunk by no one else than the Equine-head.[1863] The daughter, named Uma, of the Himavat mountains, was desired by Rudra in marriage After Himavat had promised the hand of Uma to Mahadeva, the great Rishi Bhrigu, approaching Himavat, addressed him, saying,—­Give this daughter of thine unto me in marriage.  Himavat replied unto him, saying,—­Rudra is the bridegroom already selected by me for my daughter.—­Angry at this reply, Bhrigu said,—­Since thou refusest my suit for the hand of thy daughter and insultest me thus, thou shalt no longer abound with jewels and gems.  To this day, in consequence of the Rishi’s words, the mountains of Himavat have not any jewels and gems.  Even such is the glory of the Brahmanas.  It is through the favour of the Brahmanas that the