Having enjoyed
the measure of weal or woe that corresponds with their acts, creatures
always come back by the old path,[1349] which is measured by the measure
of acts.' Then the illustrious Usanas addressed the Asura Vritra who was
thus talking of the highest refuge of the creation, saying, 'O
intelligent Daitya, why, O child, dost thou utter such foolish
rhapsodies?'
"Vritra said, 'The severe penances which I underwent from greed of
victory are well-known to thee as also to other sages. Appropriating
diverse scents and diverse kinds of tastes that other creatures had for
enjoying, I swelled up with my own energy, afflicting the three worlds.
Decked with myriads of effulgent rays I used to rove through the skies
(on my celestial car), incapable of being defeated by any creature and
fearing none. I achieved great prosperity through my penances and lost it
again through my own acts. Relying on my fortitude, however, I do not
grieve for this change. Desirous (in days of yore) of fighting the great
Indra, the high-souled ruler of the heavens, I beheld in that battle the
illustrious Hari, the puissant Narayana.[1350] He who is called
Vaikuntha, Purusha, Ananta, Sukla, Vishnu, Sanatana, Munjakesa,
Harismasru, and the Grandsire of all creatures.[1351] Without doubt,
there is still a remnant (to be enjoyed by me) of the rewards attaching
to that penance represented by a sight of the great Hari. It is in
consequence of that unexhausted remnant that I have become desirous of
asking thee, O illustrious one, about the fruits of action![1352] Upon
which order (of men) hath been established high Brahma prosperity? In
what mariner, again, doth high prosperity fall off? From whom do
creatures spring and live? Through whom again do they act? What is that
high Fruit by attaining to which a creature succeeds in living eternally
as Brahma? By what Act or by what Knowledge can that fruit be achieved?
It behoveth thee, O learned Brahmana, to expound these to me.
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