he was like Vrihaspati, and in calmness the mountain Himavat himself.  And that king delighted the hearts of his subjects by act, thought, speech, self-restraint, and forbearance.  He performed hundreds of horse-sacrifices, and the potent and learned Angira himself served him as priest.  His son surpassed his sire in the possession of good qualities.  Named Marutta, that lord of kings was righteous and o great renown, an possessed the might of ten thousand elephants.  He was like unto Vishnu’s second self.  Desirous of celebrating a sacrifice, that virtuous monarch, coming to Mount Meru on the northern side of Himavat, caused thousands of shining golden vessels to be forged.  There on a huge golden hill he performed the rites.  And goldsmiths made basins and vessels and pans and seats without number.  And the sacrificial ground was near this place.  And that righteous lord of Earth, king Marutta, along with other princes, performed a sacrifice there.’”

SECTION V

“Yudhishthira said, ’O best of speakers, how that king became so powerful?  And how, O twice-born one, did he obtain so much gold?  And where now, O reverend sire, is all his wealth?  And, O ascetic, how can we secure the same?’

“Vyasa thereupon said,—­’As the numerous offspring of the Prajapati Daksha, the Asuras and the Celestials challenged each other (to encounter), so in the same way Angira’s sons, the exceedingly energetic Vrihaspati and the ascetic, Samvarta, of equal vows, challenged each other, O king.  Vrihaspati began to worry Samvarta again and again.  And constantly troubled by his elder brother, he, O Bharata, renouncing his riches, went to the woods, with nothing to coyer his body save the open sky.[4] (At that time), Vasava having vanquished and destroyed the Asuras, and obtained the sovereignty of the celestial regions had appointed as his priest Angira’s eldest son, that best of Brahmanas, Vrihaspati.  Formerly Angira was the family-priest of king Karandhama.  Matchless among men in might, prowess and character; powerful like unto Satakratu, righteous souled and of rigid vows, O king, he had vehicles, and warrior, and many adherents, and superb and costly bedsteads, produced through dint of meditation by the breath of his mouth.  And by his native virtues, the monarch had brought all the princes under his sway.  And having lived as long as he desired, he ascended to the heaven in his corporal embodiment.  And his son named Avikshit—­conqueror of foes,—­righteous like unto Yayati, brought all the Earth under his dominion.  And both in merit and might the king resembled his sire.  He had a son named Marutta, endowed with energy, and resembling Vasava himself.  This earth clad in oceans; felt herself drawn towards him.  He always[5] used to defy the lord of the celestials; and O son of Pandu, Vasava also defied Marutta.  And Marutta,—­master of Earth—­was pure and possessed of perfections.  And in spite of his striving, Sakra could not prevail