Chapter LI: Section LIII

Thus addressed by Vasishtha, that bestower of all that was desired, Savala, O destroyer of thy foes, brought forth everything that was desired by everyone. And she produced sugarcanes, and honey, and fried rice, and excellent _Maireyas_,[68] and costly drinks,and various viands, and heaps of warm rice resembling hills, and other kinds of edibles, and soups, and _Dadhikulyas_,[69] together with silver plates by thousands filled with meats of diverse tastes. And, O Rama, that army of Vicwamitra consisting of cheerful and stout men being superbly entertained by Vasishtha, became exceedingly gratified. And the royal saint, Vicwamitra himself, together with the priests and Brahmanas and the inmates of the inner apartment, was also heartily filled. And being hospitably entertained with his courtiers and counsellors and retainers, he, exceedingly delighted, spoke unto Vasishtha, saying, --'Received and excellently entertained have I been by thee,0 Brahmana, who thyself art worthy of being honored. Do thou, O thou conversant with speech, listen to me. I will tell thee a word. Do thou bestow on me Savala for an hundred thousand kine. O worshipful one, varily this one is a jewel; and as it is the function of kings to acquire jewels, do thou confer on me Savala; for, O twice-born one, this one by right belongs unto me.' Thus addressed by Vicwamitra the righteous and adorable Vasishtha--best of ascetics--replied unto that lord of earth,--'O king, neither for an hundred thousand nor for an hundred _koti_ of kine, nor yet for heaps of silver, will I part with Savala. O subduer of enemies, this one deserves not to be separated from my side. Even like unto the fame of the mighty, this Savala is ever joined with me. My oblations to the gods and the Pitris as well as my subsistence itself are established even in her. And my _Agnihotras_,[70] _Vali_,[71] and _Homa_[72] depend uper her; and, O royal saint, my _Svahakaras_ and _Vashatkaras_[73] as well as my various lore depend upon her. All this is so: there is no doubt about it. Verily she is my all; and in her do I find my delight. And many are the reasons, O king, why I cannot give unto thee Savala.' Thus addressed by Vasishtha, that one versed in speech, Vicwamitra, eagerly rejoined,-- 'I shall confer upon thee fourteen thousand elephants decked in gold chains and gold neck-ornaments and hooks; and I will confer upon thee eight hundred golden cars furnished with bells and each yoked with four white horses; and, O thou of auspicious vows, I will confer upon thee one thousand and ten high-mettled horses of noble breeds; and I will confer upon thee a _koti_ of youthful and variegated kine,--do thou grant unto me Savala. And as much of gems and gold, O best of regenerate ones, as thou wilt ask for, shall I bestow upon thee: do thou grant me Savala.' Thus besought by the intelligent Vicwamitra, that adorable one replied, saying,--'O king, Savala I will not by any means give. This is verily my jewel: this is verily my riches: this is verily my all: this is verily my subsistence. And this is my _Darsa_[74] and this my _Paurnamasa_,[75] and this my various sacrifices with _dakshinas_;[76] and, O king, this my various rites. This, O king, is without doubt, the root of all my rites. And what need of dilating? This one bestowing everything that is desired will I not part with."'

[68] A kind of wine prepared from molasses.--T.

[69] A preparation of milk and rice.--T.

[70] Maintainance of the perpetual fire.--T.

[71] Offerings to the spirits of air.--T.

[72] Burnt offerings.--T.

[73] Sacrifices performed with the exclamation of _Swaha_ and _Vashat_
respectively.-- T.

[74] Bi-monthly sacrifice, performed at change of the moon by persons
maintaining a perpetual fire.--T.

[75] A ceremony performed at the full of the moon by persons
maintaining a perpetual fire.--T.

[76] Gifts to Brahmanas on occasions of sacrifice.--T.