, Vasu, was seen to come that
way. Endued with great prosperity, the king was coming through the
welkin, accompanied by his troops and vehicles and animals. Beholding
king Vasu coming to that spot through the skies, the Brahmanas addressing
the deities, said,--This one will remove our doubts. He performs
sacrifices. He is liberal in making gifts. He always seeks the good of
all creatures. How, indeed, will the great Vasu, speak otherwise,--Having
thus spoken unto each other, the deities and the Rishis quickly
approached king Vasu and questioned him, saying,--O king, with what
should one perform sacrifices? Should one sacrifice with the goat or with
herbs and plants? Do thou dispel this doubt of ours. We constitute thee
our judge in this matter.--Thus addressed by them, Vasu joined his hands
in humility and said unto them.--Tell me truly, ye foremost of Brahmanas,
what opinion is entertained by you in this matter?
"'The Rishis said, The opinion entertained by us, O king, is that
sacrifices should be performed with grain. The deities, however, maintain
that sacrifices should be performed with animals. Do thou judge between
us and tell us which of these opinions is correct.'
"Bhishma continued, 'Learning what the opinion was that was entertained
by the deities, Vasu, moved by partiality for them, said that sacrifices
should be performed with animals. At this answer, all the Rishis, endued
with the splendour of the Sun, became very angry. Addressing Vasu who was
seated on his car and who had (wrongly) taken up the side of the deities,
they said unto him,--Since thou hast (wrongly) taken up the side of the
deities, do thou fall down from heaven.
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