, king
Mandhatri of great soul, came to Vasuhoma on his mountain retreat.
Arrived there, Mandhatri, beholding king Vasuhoma of austere penances
stood before the latter in an attitude of humility. Vasuhoma offered unto
his guest water to wash his feet, and the Arghya consisting of the usual
articles, and enquired of him about the well-being or otherwise of his
kingdom consisting of seven limbs. After this, Vasuhoma addressed his
royal guest who faithfully followed the practices of the righteous men of
old, saying, 'What, O king, shall I do for thee?' Thus addressed, O
delighter of the Kurus, Mandhatri, that best of kings, highly gratified,
answered Vasuhoma of great wisdom seated at his ease, in the following
words.'
"Mandhatri said, 'Thou hast, O king, studied all the doctrines of
Vrihaspati. O best of men, the doctrines laid down by Usanas also are
known to thee. I desire to know what is the origin of Chastisement. What
was awake before Chastisement? What also is said to be its end? How came
Chastisement to depend upon the Kshatriya? Tell me all this. O thou of
great wisdom! I come to thee as a disciple ready to give thee the
tutorial fee.'[368]
"Vasuhoma said, 'Listen, O king, as to how Chastisement, that upholder of
the world, arose. The soul of righteousness, it is eternal, and was
created for maintaining the due government of all creatures. It hath been
heard by us that once upon a time, the Grandsire of all the worlds, viz.,
the divine Brahman desiring to perform a sacrifice, failed to find a
priest possessed of qualifications like himself.
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