of life, owning a domestic fire and of pure vows and practices, to accept a gift of earth, never falls into any danger or distress.  As the moon waxes day by day, even so the merit of a gift of earth becomes enhanced every time such earth produces crops.  Those conversant with ancient history sing this verse in connection with the gift of earth.  Hearing that verse Jamadagni’s son (Rama) gave away the whole earth unto Kasyapa.  The verse to which I refer is this, ’Receive me in gift.  Give me away.  By giving me away, thou (O giver) shall obtain me again!’ That which is given away in this life is re-acquired in the next.[330] That Brahmana who recites this high declaration of the Vedas at the time of a Sraddha attains to the highest reward.  A gift of earth is a high expiation for the sin of those puissant men who betake themselves to Atharvan rites for doing injuries to others.  Indeed, by making a gift of earth one rescues ten generations of one’s paternal and maternal race.  That person who is even conversant with this Vedic declaration respecting the merits of a gift of earth, succeeds in rescuing ten generations of both his paternal and maternal families.  The earth is the original source of all creatures (for it is from earth that all creatures derive their sustenance).  It has been said that the deity of fire is the presiding genius of the earth.  After the coronation ceremony has been performed of a king, this Vedic declaration should be re-cited to him, so that he may make gifts of earth and may never take away earth from a righteous person.  Without doubt, the entire wealth owned by the king belongs to the Brahmanas.  A king well-conversant with the science of duty and morality is the first requisite of the kingdom’s prosperity.  Those people whose king is unrighteous and atheistic in conduct and belief can never be happy.  Such people can never sleep or wake in peace.  In consequence of his acts of wickedness his subjects become always filled with anxiety.  Protection of what the subjects already have and new acquisitions according to lawful means are incidents that are not noticeable in the kingdom of such a ruler.  Those people, again, who have a wise and righteous king, sleep happily and wake up in happiness.  Through the blessed and righteous acts of such a king, his subjects become freed from anxiety.  The subjects, restrained from wicked acts, grow in prosperity through their own conduct.  Capable of retaining what they have, they go on making new acquisitions.  That king who makes gifts of earth is regarded as well-born.  He is regarded as a man.  He is a friend.  He is righteous in his acts.  He is a giver.  He is regarded as possessing prowess.  Those men who make gifts of ample and fertile earth unto Brahmanas conversant with the Vedas, always shine in the world, in consequence of their energy, like so many suns.  As seeds scattered on the soil grow and return a goodly crop, even so all one’s wishes become crowned with fruition in consequence of one’s making