great
Rishi, is there any thing wonderful that has been beheld by thee, O
sinless one? O regenerate Rishi, crowned with ascetic success, thou
rovest, moved by curiosity, through the universe of mobile and immobile
objects, witnessing all things. O celestial Rishi, there is nothing in
the universe that is unknown to thee. Do thou tell me, therefore, of any
wonderful incident which thou mayst have seen or heard of or felt.' Thus
questioned, Narada, that foremost of speakers, O king, then commented to
recite unto the chief of the celestials the extensive history that
follows. Listen now to me as I recite that story which Narada told before
Indra. I shall narrate it in the same manner in which the celestial Rishi
had narrated it, and for the same purpose that he had in view!"'"

SECTION CCCLIV

"'Bhishma said, "In an excellent town called by the name of Mahapadma
which was situate on the southern side of the river Ganga, there lived,
O best of men, a Brahmana of concentrated soul. Born in the race of
Atri, he was endued with amiability. All his doubts had been dispelled
(by faith and contemplation) and he was well conversant with the path he
was to follow. Ever observant of the religious duties, he had his anger
under perfect control. Always contented, he was the complete master of
his senses. Devoted to penances and study of the Vedas, he was honoured
by all good men. He earned wealth by righteous means and his conduct in
all things corresponded with the mode of life he led and the order to
which he belonged. The family to which he belonged was large and
celebrated. He had many kinsmen and relatives, and many children and
spouses. His behaviour was always respectable and faultless. Observing
that he had many children, the Brahmana betook himself to the
accomplishment of religious acts on a large scale. His religious
observances, O king, had reference to the customs of his own
family.[1926] The Brahmana reflected that three kinds of duties have been
laid down for observances. There were first, the duties ordained in the
Vedas in respect of the order in which he was born and the mode of life
he was leading (viz., a Brahmana in the observance of domesticity). There
were secondly, the duties prescribed in the scriptures, viz., those
especially called the Dharmasastras. And, thirdly, there were those
duties that eminent and revered men of former times have followed though
not occurring either in the Vedas or the scriptures