All of them were observant of penances. With joined hands they
addressed their preceptor in the following words.
"The disciples said, We have, through thy grace, been endued with great
energy. Our fame also has spread. There is one favour that we humbly
solicit thee to grant us. Hearing these words of theirs, the regenerate
Rishi answered them, saying, "Ye sons, tell me what that boon is which ye
wish I should grant you! Hearing this answer of their preceptor, the
disciples became filled with joy. Once more bowing their heads low unto
their preceptor and joining their hands, all of them in one voice said, O
king, these excellent words: If our preceptor has been pleased with us,
then, O best of sages, we are sure to be crowned with success! We all
solicit thee, O great Rishi, to grant us a boon. Be thou inclined to be
graceful to us. Let no sixth disciple (besides us five) succeed in
attaining to fame! We are four. Our preceptor's son forms the fifth. Let
the Vedas shine in only as five! Even this is the boon that we
solicit;--Hearing these words of his disciples, Vyasa, the son of
Parasara, possessed of great intelligence, well-conversant with the
meaning of the Vedas, endued with a righteous soul, and always engaged in
thinking of objects that confer benefits on a person in the world
hereafter, said unto his disciples these righteous words fraught with
great benefit: The Vedas should always be given unto him who is a
Brahmana, or unto him who is desirous of listening to Vedic instructions,
by him who eagerly wishes to attain a residence in the region of Brahman!
Do ye multiply, Let the Vedas spread (through your exertions).
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