“Bhishma continued, ’The king then began to reflect as to what he should do.  Indeed, the king began to think how he might succeed in acquiring merit.  He said unto himself.  ’This man is by birth a, Brahmana.  He is, again a friend of the high-souled Rajadharman.  He has been sent to me by that son of Kasyapa.  I must do what is agreeable to my friend.  He is very intimate with me.  Indeed, he is my brother, and a dear relative.  He is truly a friend of my heart.  On this day of the month of Kartika, a thousand Brahmanas of the foremost order are to be entertained in my house.  This Gautama also shall be entertained with them and I shall give wealth unto him too.  This is a sacred day.  Gautama has come hither as a guest.  The wealth that is to be given away (unto the Brahmanas) is ready.  What is there then to think of?’ Just about this time a thousand Brahmanas, possessed of great learning, with persons purified by baths and adorned (with sandalpaste and flowers) and attired in long robes of linen, came to the palace.  The Rakshasa king Virupaksha, O monarch, received the guests, as they came, duly and according to the rites laid down in the scriptures.  At the command of the king, skins were spread out for them.  The royal servants then, O best of the Bharatas, placed mats of Kusa grass on the ground.[495] Those foremost of Brahmanas, having been duly worshipped by the king sat down on those seats.  The Rakshasa chief once more worshipped his guests, as provided by the ordinance, with sesame seeds, green blades of grass, and water.  Some amongst them were selected for representing the Viswedevas, the Pitris, and the deities of fire.  These were smeared with sandal-paste, and flowers were offered unto them.  They were also adored with other kinds of costly offerings.  After such worship, every one of them looked as effulgent as the moon in the firmament.  Then bright and polished plates of gold, adorned with engravings, and filled with excellent food prepared with ghee and honey, were given unto those Brahmanas.  Every year (on the days of full moon) of the months of Ashadha and Magha, a large number of Brahmanas used to receive from the Rakshasa chief, after proper honours, the best kinds of food that they desired.  Especially, on the day of full moon in the month of Kartika, after the expiry of autumn, the king used to give unto the Brahmanas much wealth of diverse kinds, including gold, silver, jewels, gems, pearls, diamonds of great value, stones of the lapis lazuli variety, deer-skins, and skins of the Ranku deer.  Indeed, O Bharata, throwing a heap of wealth of many kinds for giving it away as Dakshina (unto his regenerate guests), the mighty Virupaksha, addressing those foremast of Brahmanas, said unto them, ’Take from these jewels and gems as much as ye wish and can hope to bear away.’  And he also used to say unto them, O Bharata, these words:  ’Taking those plates of gold and vessels which you have used for your dinner, go ye away, O foremost of Brahmanas.’  When these