er be enjoyed by a
Brahmana singly.[897] For a Brahmana leading a life of domesticity there
is no means save the acceptance of gifts for the sake of the deities, or
Rishis, or Pitris, or preceptor or the aged, or the diseased, or the
hungry.[898] Unto those that are persecuted by unseen foes, or those that
are striving to the best of their power to acquire knowledge, one should
make gifts from one's own possessions, including even cooked food, more
than one can fairly afford.[899] Unto a deserving person there is nothing
that cannot be given. They that are good and wise deserve to have even
the prince of steeds, called Uchchaisravas, belonging to Indra
himself.[900] Of high vows (king) Satyasandha, having, with due humility,
offered his own life-breaths for saving those of a Brahmana, ascended to
heaven. Sankriti's son Rantideva, having given only lukewarm water to the
high-souled Vasishtha, ascended to heaven and received high honours
there. Atri's royal son Indradamana, possessed of great intelligence,
having given diverse kinds of wealth to a deserving person, acquired
diverse regions of felicity in the next world. Usinara's son Sivi, having
given away his own limbs and the dear son of loins for the sake of a
Brahmana, ascended to heaven from this world. Pratardana, the ruler of
Kasi, having given away his very eyes to a Brahmana, obtained great fame
both here and hereafter. King Devavridha, having given away a very
beautiful and costly umbrella, with eight golden ribs, proceeded to
heaven with all the people of his kingdom. Sankriti of Atri's race,
possessed of great energy, having given instruction to his disciples on
the subject of Impersonal Brahma, proceeded to regions of great felicity.
Amvarisha of great prowess, having given unto the Brahmanas eleven
Arvudas of kine, proceeded to heaven with all the people of his kingdom.
Savitri, by giving away her ear-rings, and king Janamejaya, by giving
away his own body, both proceeded to high regions of felicity. Yuvanaswa,
the son of Vrishadarbha, by giving away diverse kinds of gems, a fine
mansion, and many beautiful women, ascended to heaven. Nimi, the ruler of
the Videhas, gave away his kingdom, Jamadagni's son (Rama) gave away the
whole earth; and Gaya gave away the earth with all her towns and cities,
unto the Brahmanas. Once when the clouds ceased to pour, Vasishtha,
resembling Brahman himself, kept alive all creatures like Prajapati
keeping them alive (by his ene