deva, succeeded in bringing
down the sacred river from heaven (for flowing over the earth and
cleansing all human beings of their sins). It was Bhagiratha who caused
the ashes of the sixty thousand sons of Sagara to be overflowed with the
sacred waters of Ganga and thereby rescued them from their sin. Indeed,
one should take the names of all these that were endued with the blazing
effulgence of fire, great beauty of person, and high energy. Some of them
were of awe-inspiring forms and great might. Verily, one should take the
names of these deities and Rishis and kings, those lords of the
universe,--who are enhancers of fame. Sankhya, and Yoga which is highest
of the high, and Havya and Kavya and that refuge of all the Srutis, viz.,
Supreme Brahma, have been declared to be the sources of great benefit to
all creatures. These are sacred and sin-cleansing and have been spoken of
very highly. These are the foremost of medicines for allaying all
diseases, and are the inducers of the success in respect of all deeds.
Restraining one's senses, one should, O Bharata, take the names of these,
morning and evening. It is these that protect. It is these that shower
rain. It is these that shine and give light and heat. It is these that
blow. It is these that create all things. These are regarded as the
foremost of all, as the leaders of the universe, as highly clever in the
accomplishment of all things, as endued with forgiveness, as complete
masters of the senses. Indeed, it has been said that they dispel all the
evils to which human beings are subject. These high-souled ones are the
witnesses of all good and bad deeds. Rising up in the morning one should
take their names, for by this, one is sure to acquire all that is good.
He who takes the names of them becomes freed from the fear of fires and
of thieves. Such a man never finds his way obstructed by any impediment.
By taking the names of these high-souled ones, one becomes free from bad
dreams of every kind. Cleared from every sin, such men take birth in
auspicious families. That regenerate person who, with restrained senses,
recites these names on the occasions of performing the initiatory rites
of sacrifices and other religious observances, becomes, as the
consequence thereof, endued with righteousness, devoted to the study of
the soul, possessed of forgiveness and self-restraint, and free from
malice. If a man that is afflicted with disease recites them, he becomes
freed from hi