For this reason he
conceived in his brain and held the foetus there for many long years.
After a thousand years had passed away, the great god sneezed. In that
act, the foetus fell from his head. The divine being, O chastiser of
foes, that thus took birth from Brahman was called by the name of Kshupa.
Possessed of great powers, he became a lord of creatures. That Kshupa
became the priest, O king, in the sacrifice of the high-souled Grandsire.
Upon the commencement of that sacrifice, of Brahman, O best of kings.
Chastisement disappeared in consequence of the visible form that the
Grandsire was then obliged to assume.[369] Chastisement having
disappeared, a great confusion set in among all creatures. There was no
longer any distinction between what should be done and what should not.
All distinction, again, between clean and unclean food ceased. Men ceased
to distinguish between what drink was allowable and what drink was
otherwise. All creatures began to injure one another. There were no
restraints in the matter of the union of the sexes. All idea of property
ceased. All creatures began to rob, and snatching meat from one another.
The strong began to slay the weak. Nobody cherished the slightest
consideration for his neighbour. The Grandsire then, having worshipped
the divine and eternal Vishnu, addressed that great boon-giving god,
saying, 'It behoveth thee, O Kesava, to show mercy on the present
occasion. Let it be so ordained by thee that the confusion that has
occurred may disappear.
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