Mahabharata VOL I2 - HolyBooks.com

12 MAHABHABATAof great energy, shalt thou acquire that gold. And the men who gothere thus, succeed in obtaining the gold. Thus instructed, Marutta,the son of Karandhama, did as he was advised. And made superhumanarrangements for the performance of his sacrifice. And artisansmanufactured vessels of gold for that sacrifice. And Vrihaspati too,hearing of the prosperity of Marutta, eclipsing that of the gods, becamegreatly grieved at heart, and distressed at the thought that his rivalSamvarta should become prosperous, became sick at heart, and the glowof his complexion left him, and his frame became emaciated. And whenthe lord of the gods came to know that Vrihaspati was much aggrieved,he went to him attended by the Immortals and addressed him thus."SECTION IXIndra said, "Dost thou, O Vrihaspati, sleep in peace, and are thyservants agreeable to thee, dost thou seek the welfare of the gods, anddo the gods. O Brahmana, protect thee ?"Vrihaspati said* "I do sleep in peace in my bed, O Lord of thegods, and my servants are to my likingthe gods, and they cherish me well."and I always seek the welfare ofIndra said, "Whence then is this pain, mental or physical, andwhy art thou pale and altered in appearance (complexion) at present ?Tell me, O Brahmana, who those people are, who have caused theepain, so that I may kill them all."Vrihaspati said, "O Indra, I have heard that Marutta willperform a great sacrifice at which exquisite presents will be given byhim (to Brahrnanas) and that at his sacrifice Samvarta will act as theofficiating priest, and therefore do I desire that he may not officiate aspriest at that sacrifice."Indra said, "Thou, O Brahmana, hast attained all the object ofthy desire when thou hast become the excellent priest of the gods,versed in all the sacred hymns, and hast overreached the influence ofdeath and dotage, what can Samvarta do to thee now ?"Vrihaspati said, "Prosperity of a rival is always painful to one'sfeelings, and for this reason too, thou dost with thy attendant godspersecute the Asuras with their kith and kin, and kill the most prosperousamong them ; hence, O Lord of the gods, am I changed in appearanceat the thought that my rival is prospering, therefore, O Indra, do thou,by all means, restrain Samvarta and king Marutta."Indra turning to Agni said, "Do thou, O Jataveda, following mydirection, go to king Marutta to present Vrihaspati to him, and say untohim that this Vrihaspati will officiate at his sacrifice and make himimmortal."