e austerities on
the northern breasts of the mountains of Meru. While engaged in those
austerities, a pure breeze, charged with all kinds of delicious perfumes,
began to blow there and fan his body. Scorched as his body was by the
very severe austerities he was undergoing, and living as he did upon air
alone to the exclusion of every kind of food, he became highly gratified
in consequence of that delicious breeze which blew around him. While he
was thus gratified with the delicious breeze that fanned him, the trees
around him (moved by jealousy) put forth their flowers for making a
display and extorting his praise. Displeased at this conduct of the trees
because it was dictated by jealousy, the Rishi cursed them,
saying,--'Henceforth, ye shall not be able to put forth your flowers at
all times.'--In days of yore, for doing good to the world, Narayana took
birth as the great Rishi Vadavamukha. While engaged in practising severe
austerities on the breast of Meru, he summoned the Ocean to his presence.
The Ocean, however, disobeyed his summons. Incensed at this, the Rishi,
with the heat of his body, caused the waters of the Ocean to become as
saltish in taste as the human sweat. The Rishi further said.--'Thy waters
shall henceforth cease to be drinkable. Only when the Equine-head, roving
within thee, will drink thy waters, they will be as sweet as honey.' It is
for this curse that the waters of the Ocean to this day are saltish to
the taste and are drunk by no one else than the Equine-head.[1863] The
daughter, named Uma, of the Himavat mountains, was desired by Rudra in
marriage. After Himavat had promised the hand of Uma to Mahadeva, the
great Rishi Bhrigu, approaching Himavat, addressed him, saying,--'Give
this daughter of thine unto me in marriage.' Himavat replied unto him,
saying,--'Rudra is the bridegroom already selected by me for my
daughter.'--Angry at this reply, Bhrigu said,--'Since thou refusest my suit
for the hand of thy daughter and insultest me thus, thou shalt no longer
abound with jewels and gems.' To this day, in consequence of the Rishi's
words, the mountains of Himavat have not any jewels and gems. Even such
is the glory of the Brahmanas. It is through the favour of the Brahmanas
that the Kshatriyas are able to possess the eternal and undeteriorating
Earth as their wife and enjoy her. The power of the Brahmanas, again, is
made up of Agni and Shoma. The universe is upheld by that power and,
therefore, is