the form of a Brahmana, and repairing to Prahlada, asked him, saying, ’I desire to hear what conduces to felicity.  Prahlada answered the Brahmana, saying, ’O chief of regenerate ones, I have no time, being wholly occupied in the task of ruling the three worlds, I cannot, therefore, instruct thee.’  The Brahmana said, ’O king, when thou mayst have leisure, I desire to listen to thy instructions about what course of conduct is productive of good.  At this answer, king Prahlada. became delighted with that utterer of Brahma.  Saying, ‘So be it!’ he availed of a favourable opportunity for imparting to the Brahmana the truths of knowledge.  The Brahma na duly observed towards Prahlada the conduct which a disciple should observe towards his preceptor, and began with his whole heart to do what Prahlada desired.  Many a time the Brahmana enquired, saying, ’O chastiser of foes, by what means hast thou been able to win the sovereignty of the three worlds?  Tell me, O righteous king, ’What those means are.’  Prahlada, O monarch, answered the question the Brahmana asked.

“Prahlada said, ’I do not, O regenerate one, feel any pride in consequence of my being a king, nor do I cherish any hostile feelings towards the Brahmanas.  On the other hand, I accept and follow the counsels of policy they declare unto Me based upon the teachings of Sukra.  In complete trustfulness they say unto me what they wish to say, and restrain me from courses that are unrighteous or improper.  I am ever obedient to the teachings of Sukra.  I wait upon and serve the Brahmanas and my seniors.  I bear no malice.  I am of righteous soul.  I have conquered wrath.  I am self-restrained, and all my senses are under my control.  These regenerate ones that are my instructors pour beneficial instructions upon me like bees dropping honey into the cells of their comb.  I taste the nectar dropped by those learned men, and like the Moon among the constellations I live among the members of my race.[379] Even this is nectar on earth, even this is the clearest eye, viz., listening to the teaching of Sukra from the lips of Brahmanas and acting according to them.  In these consists the good of a man.’  Thus said Prahlada unto that utterer of Brahma.  Served dutifully by him, the chief of the Daityas once more said, ’O foremost of regenerate ones, I am exceedingly gratified with thee in consequence of thy dutiful behaviour towards me.  Ask of me the boon thou desirest, blessed be thou, for verily I shall grant thee what thou wilt ask.  The Brahmana answered the chief of the Daityas saying, ‘Very well.  I will obey thee.’  Prahlada, gratified with him, said, ‘Take what thou wishest.’