Yudhishthira said 'Tell us, o king, what is that reward of the worship of Brahmanas, seeing which you adore them, O you of superior intelligence! Indeed, what is that success, emanating from their adoration, guided by which you worship them?

Bhishma said Regarding it is cited the conversation between Pavana and Arjuna, O Bharata.

Gifted with a thousand arms and great beauty the powerful Kartavirya, formerly became the lord of all the world. He had his capital in the city of Mahishmati.

Of unbaffled prowess, that king of the Haihaya race of Kshatriyas governed the whole Earth begirt by seas, together with all her islands and all her precious mines of gold and gems.

Respecting the duties of the Kshatriya order, as also humility and Vedic learning, the king made large gifts of wealth to the Rishi Dattatreya.

Indeed, the of Kritavirya thus worshipped that great ascetic who, becoming pleased with him, asked him to solicit three boons.

Thus requested by the Rishi for boons, the king addressed him, saying, Let me have a thousand arms when I am in the midst of my elders. While, however, I remain at home let me have, as usual, only two arms.

Indeed, let combatants, when fighting, see me possessed of a thousand arms. Observant also of high vows, let me succeed in subjugating the entire Earth by my prowess. son

Having acquired the Earth righteously, let me govern her with vigilance. There is a fourth boon which, O foremost of twiceborn person, I solicit thee to grant.

O faultless one, being disposed to favour me, you should grant it to me! Dependent as I am on you, whenever I may happen to go wrong, let pious men come forth to instruct and set me right.

Thus addressed, that Brahman, replied to the king, saying, So let it be! thus were those boons acquired by that king of burning effulgence.

Riding then on his car which was effulgent like fire or the Sun, the king, blinded by his great prowess, said, Who, indeed, is there who can be considered as my equal in patience and energy, in fame and heroism, in prowess and strength? After he had uttered these words, an invisible voice in the sky, said, O ignorant wretch, do you not know that the Brahmana is superior to the Kshatriya? The Kshatriya, helped by the Brahman, rules all creatures.

When pleased I am able to create many creatures. When angry, I am able to destroy all. In thought, word, and deed, I am the foremost. The Brahmana is certainly not above me.

The first proposition here is that the Brahmana is superior to Kshatriyas. The counterproposition is that the Kshatriya is superior. You have said, that the two are united together. A distinction, however, is observable in this.

It is seen that Brahmanas take refuge with Kshatriyas. The Kshatriyas never seek the refuge of Brahmanas. Indeed, throughout the Earth, the Brahmans, accepting such refuge under the pretence of teaching the Vedas, get their maintenance from the Kshatriyas.

The duty of protecting all creatures lies with the Kshatriyas. It is from the Kshatriyas that the Brahmanas derive their livelihood. How then can the Brahmana be superior to the Kshatriyas?

Well, I shall, from today, bring under my subjection, your Brahmanas who are superior to all creatures but who have mendicancy for their occupation and who are so selfconceited.

What the virgin Gayatri has said from the sky is not true. Robed in skins, the Brahmans move about in independence. I shall bring those independent men under my subjcction.

Deity or man, there is none in the three worlds who can throw me off from the sovereignty I enjoy. Hence, I am certainly superior to the Brahmanas.

This world that is now considered as having Brahmanas for its foremost dwellers. shall soon be made such as to have Kshatriyas for its foremost dwellers. There is none who is capable of withstanding my power in battle.

Hearing these words of Arjuna, the skyranging goddess became moved.

Then the god of wind, addressing the king from the sky, said, Renounce this sinful attitude. Bow to the Brahmanas. By injuring them you will bring about troubles on your kingdom.

The Brahmanas will either kill you, king, though you are, or, endued with great might as they are, they will drive you away from your kingdom, despoiling you of your energy.

Hearing this speech, the king addressed the speaker, saying, Who, indeed, are you? The god of wind answered. I am the god of wind and the messenger of the celestials. I say to you what is for your benefit.

Arjuna said Oh, I see that you have today shown your devotion and attachment to the Brahmanas. Tell me now what kind of carthly crcature is the Brahmana.

Tell does a superior Brahmana resemble the Wind in any respect? Or, is he like Water, or Fire, or the Sun, or the Firmament? inc,

Tell does a superior Brahmana resemble the Wind in any respect? Or, is he like Water, or Fire, or the Sun, or the Firmament? inc,