“Bhishma continued, ’Hearing these words of the great Rishi, Nahusha became afflicted with great grief.  With his ministers and priest he began to deliberate on the matter.  There then came unto king Nahusha an ascetic living in the woods and subsisting upon fruit and roots and born of a cow.  That best of regenerate persons, addressing the monarch, O king, said these words, ’I shall soon gratify thee.  The Rishi also will be gratified.  I shall never speak an untruth.—­no, not even in jest, what then need I say of other occasions?  Thou shouldst, without any scruple, do what I bid thee.’

“Nahusha said, ’Do thou, O illustrious one, say what the price is of that great Rishi of Bhrigu’s race.  O, save me from this terrible pass, save my kingdom, and save my race!  If the holy Chyavana became angry, he would destroy the three worlds:  what need I say them of my poor self who is destitute of penances and who depends only upon the might of his arm?  O great Rishi, do thou become the raft unto us that have all fallen into a fathomless ocean with all our counsellors and our priest!  Do thou settle what the price should be of the Rishi.’

“Bhishma said, ’Hearing these words of Nahusha, the ascetic born of a cow and endued with great energy spoke in this strain, gladdening the monarch and all his counsellors, ’Brahmanas, O king, belong to the foremost of the four orders.  No value, however great, can be set upon them.  Cows also are invaluable.  Therefore, O chief of men, do thou regard a cow as the value of the Rishi.’  Hearing these words of the great Rishi, Nahusha became, O king, filled with joy along with all his counsellors and priest.  Proceeding then to the presence of Bhrigu’s son, Chyavana, of rigid vows, h e addressed him thus, O monarch, for gratifying him to the best of his ability.’

’Nahusha said, ’Rise, rise, O regenerate Rishi, thou hast been purchased.  O son of Bhirgu, with a cow as thy price.  O foremost of righteous persons, even this, I think, is thy price.’

“Chyavana said.  ’Yes, O king of kings, I do rise up.  I have been properly purchased by thee, O sinless one!  I do not, O thou of unfading glory, see any wealth that is equal to kine.  To speak of kine, to hear others speak of them, to make gifts of kine, and to see kine, O king, are acts that are all applauded, O hero, and that are highly auspicious and sin-cleansing.  Kine are always the root of prosperity.  There is no fault in kine.  Kine always afford the best food, in the form of Havi, unto the deities.  The sacred Mantras, Swaha and Vashat, are always established upon kine.  Kine are the chief conductresses of sacrifices.  They constitute the mouth of sacrifice.  They bear and yield excellent and strength-giving nectar.  They receive the worship of all the worlds and are regarded as the source of nectar.  On earth, kine resemble fire in energy and form.  Verily, kine represent high energy, and are bestowers of great happiness upon all creatures.  That country where kine, established by their owners, breathe fearlessly, shines in beauty.  The sins, also of that country are all washed off.  Kine constitute the stairs that lead to heaven.  Kine are adorned in heaven itself.  Kine are goddesses that are competent to give everything and grant every wish.  There is nothing else in the world that is so high or so superior!’[305]