SECTION CXVIII

“Vyasa said, ’It is in consequence of a meritorious act, O worm, that thou, though born in the intermediate order of being, art not stupefied.  That act is mine, O worm, in consequence of which thou art not stupefied.[527] In consequence of the puissance of my penances, I am able to rescue a being of demerit by granting him a sight only of my person.  There is no stronger might than the might that attaches to penances, I know, O worm, that thou hast taken birth in the order of worms through the evil acts of thy past life.  If, however, thou thinkest of attaining to righteousness and merit, thou mayst again attain to it.  Deities as well as beings crowned with ascetic success, enjoy or endure the consequence of acts done by them in this field of action.  Amongst men also, when acts of merit are performed, they are performed from desire of fruit (and not with disregard for fruit).  The very accomplishment that one seeks to acquire are sought from desire of the happiness they will bring.[528] Learned or ignorant (in a former life) the creature that is, in this life, destitute of speech and understanding and hands and feet, is really destitute of everything.[529] He that becomes a superior Brahmana adores, while alive, the deities of the sun and the moon, uttering diverse sacred Mantras.  O worm, thou shalt attain to that state of existence.  Attaining to that status, thou wilt enjoy all the elements converted into articles of enjoyment.  When thou hast attained to that state, I shall impart to thee Brahma.  Or, if thou wishest, I may place thee in any other status!’ The worm, agreeing to the words of Vyasa, did not leave the road, but remained on it.  Meanwhile, the large vehicle which was coming in that direction came to that spot.[530] Torn to pieces by the assault of the wheels, the worm gave up his life-breath.  Born at last in the Kshatriya order through the grace of Vyasa of immeasurable puissance, he proceeded to see the great Rishi.  He had, before becoming a Kshatriya, to pass through diverse orders of being, such as hedgehog and Iguana and boar and deer and bird, and Chandala and Sudra and Vaisya.  Having given an account of his various transformations unto the truth-telling Rishi, and remembering the Rishi’s kindness for him, the worm (now transformed into a Kshatriya) with joined palms fell at the Rishi’s feet and touched them with his head.’

“The worm said, ’My present status is that high one which is coveted by all and which is attainable by the possession of the ten well-known attributes.  Indeed, I who was formerly a worm have thus attained to the status of a prince.  Elephants of great strength, decked with golden chains, bear me on their backs.  Unto my cars are yoked Kamvoja steeds of high mettle.  Numerous vehicles, unto which are attached camels and mules, bear me.  With all my relatives and friends I now eat food rich with meat.  Worshipped by all, sleep, O highly