Verily, let my strength be as great as that of the blessed Narayana when he raised the submerged Earth!—­Uttering these mantras, one should make Vali offerings upon an ant-hill.  When the maker of day retires to his chambers in the west, upon the ant-hill selected should offerings be made of raw sugar and rice.  The ant-hill should previously be scattered with Gajendra flowers, Offerings should also be made of blue cloths and fragrant unguents.  If offerings are made in this way, those beings that live in the nether regions, bearing the weight of the upper regions upon their heads or shoulders, become well-pleased and gratified.  As regards ourselves, we also do not feel the labour of upholding the Earth, in consequence of such offerings being made to us.  Afflicted with the burden we bear, even this is what we think (beneficial for men), without the slightest regard for selfish concerns.  Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras, by observing this rule for a full year, fasting on each occasion, acquire great merits from such gifts.  We think that the making of such Vali offerings on the ant-hill is really fraught with very superior merits.  By making such offerings, one is regarded as doing the duties of hospitality for a hundred years to all the mighty elephants that exist in the three worlds.’  Hearing these words of the mighty elephants, the deities and the Pitris and the highly blessed Rishis, all applauded Renuka.”

SECTION CXXXIII

“Maheswara said, ’Searching your memories, excellent are the duties ye all have recited.  Listen all of you now to me as I declare some mysteries relating to religion and duty.  Only those persons whose understanding has been set on religion and who are possessed of faith, should be instructed in respect of those mysteries of duty and religion that are fraught with high merits.  Hear what the merits are that become his who, with heart free from anxiety, gives food everyday, for a month, to kine and contents himself with one meal a day throughout such period.  The kine are highly blessed.  They are regarded as the most sacred of all sacred things.  Verily, it is they that are upholding the three worlds with the deities, the Asuras, and human beings.  Respectful services rendered to them are fraught with high merit and grave consequences.  That man who every day gives food to kine advances every day in religious merit.  Formerly, in the Krita age I had expressed my approval of these creatures.  Afterwards Brahman, born of the primeval lotus, solicited me (to show kindness towards kine).[558] It is for this reason that a bull to this day stands as the device on my standard overhead.  I always sport with kine.  Hence should kine be worshipped by all.  Kine are possessed of great power.  They are givers of boons.  If worshipped, they would grant boons.  That person who gives food to kine even for a single day receives from those beneficent creatures for that act a fourth part of the merits he may win by all his good acts in life.’”