still as can be completed in three and ten days, besides many Pundarikas.  I have not attained to this region through the merits of any of those sacrifices.[456] I gave unto the Brahmanas eight thousand white-complexioned bulls, each graced with a beautiful hump, and each having one of its horns covered with gold.  Unto them I also gave beautiful wives whose necks were adorned with chains of gold.  I also gave away large heaps of gold and wealth of other kinds.  Verily, I gave away hills of gems and precious stones.  Villages, numbering by thousands and teeming with wealth and corn, were also given away by me.  With all my senses about me, I gave away unto the Brahmanas a hundred thousand kine each of whom had brought forth only her first calf, at many great sacrifices which I performed.  It is not, however, through the merits of those acts that I have attained to this region.  I adored the deities in a sacrifice that is completed in eleven days.  Twice I adored them in sacrifices that are completed in twelve days.  I adored them also many a time in the horse-sacrifices.  Six and ten times I performed the Arkayana sacrifice.  It is not through the merits of those acts that I have attained to this region.  I also gave unto each Brahmana a forest of Kanchana trees extending for a Yojana on every side, and with each tree adorned with jewels and gems.  It is not through the merits of that act that I have attained to this region.  For thirty years, with heart perfectly freed from wrath, I observed the Turayana vow that is possessed of very superior merit, and gave away unto the Brahmanas every day nine hundred kine.  Indeed, O Lord of the universe, every one of those kine belonged to the Rohini species, and yielded milk at the time I gave them away.  It is not through the merits of those acts, O chief of the deities, that I have attained to this region.  I worshipped thirty fires, O Brahmana, every day.  I adored the deities in eight sacrifices in which the fat of all animals was poured on the fire.  I adored them in seven sacrifices in which the fat of human beings was poured on the fire.  I adored them in a thousand and twenty-eight Viswajit sacrifices.  It is not through the merits of those sacrifices O Lord of all the deities, that I have attained to this region.  On the banks of Sarayu and Vahuda and Ganga as also in the woods of Naimisha, I gave away millions of kine unto the Brahmanas.  It is not through the merits of those acts that I have attained to this region.  The vow of fast had been known to Indra.  He had, however, kept it a secret.  Sukra, the descendant of Bhrigu, obtained a knowledge of it by means of spiritual sight acquired through penances.  Blazing with energy as he does, it is Usanas who first made it known to the universe.  I observed that vow, O boon giving Deity!  When I accomplished that very superior vow, the Brahmana became all gratified with me.  A thousand Rishis came thither.  All those Brahmanas and Rishis, O puissant lord, gratified