“The Gandharva continued, ‘The Brahmana sage (Rishi Paraashara) thus addressed by the illustrious (Rishi)
Vasishtha held back his anger from
destroying the worlds. But the Rishi Paraashara endued with great energy – the
son of (Rishi) Shakti – the foremost
of all persons acquainted with the Vedas – performed a grand Rakshasa Satra (it
is an yagna performed to eliminate Rakshasa race). Remembering the slaughter of (his father) Shakti, the great Muni (Paraashara) began to consume the Rakshasas, young and old, in the yagna he
performed. (Rishi) Vasishtha did not
stop him from this slaughter of the Rakshasa, from the determination of not
obstructing this second vow (of his grandson).
“In that yagna, the great Muni Paraashara sat before three blazing
fires, himself like to a fourth fire. The son of (Rishi) Shakti (Rishi Paraashara), like the Sun just emerging from the
clouds, illuminated the whole sky by that stainless yagna of his into which
large were the offering poured of clarified butter. Then (Rishi) Vasishtha and the other Rishis regarded
that Muni (Paraashara) blazing with
his own energy as if he were the second Sun.
“Then the Maharishi Atri of liberal soul desirous of ending that yagna,
an achievement highly difficult for others,--came to that place. O you slayer
of all enemies (Arjuna), there also (Rishi)
Pulastya, (Rishi) Pulaha, and (Rishi) Kratu the performer of many great yagnas,
all influenced by the desire of saving the Rakshasas. O you bull of the Bharata
race (Arjuna), Pulastya then, seeing
that many Rakshasas had already been slain, told these words to (Rishi) Paraashara that oppressor of all enemies:
‘There is no obstruction, I hope, to this yagna of yours, O child (Paraashara)! O child, do you take any pleasure in this
slaughter of all those innocent Rakshasas that know nothing of your father’s
death. It is your duty not to destroy any creatures thus. O child, this is not
the occupation of a Brahmana devoted to Tapas. Peace is
the highest Dharma. O Paraashara, therefore you establish peace. O Paraashara,
how have you, being so superior, engaged yourself in such a sinful practice? It
is your duty not to go beyond the limits against (Rishi) Shakti himself who was well-familiar with
all rules of morality. It is your responsibility not to destroy any creatures.
O descendant of Vasishtha’s race (Paraashara), that which happened to your father was brought about by his own
curse. It was for his own fault that (Rishi) Shakti was taken hence to heaven. O Muni (Paraashara), no Rakshasa was capable of devouring (Rishi)
Shakti; he himself provided for his own
death. O Paraashara, (Rishi) Vishwamitra
was only a blind instrument in that matter. Both (Rishi) Shakti and (King) Kalmaashapaada, having ascended to heaven are enjoying great happiness.
Also, the other sons of the Maharishi Vasishtha who were younger than (Rishi)
Shakti, are now enjoying themselves with
the Devas. O child, O offspring of Vasishtha’s son, you have also been, in this
yagna, only an instrument in the destruction of these innocent Rakshasas. O, blessed
be you! Abandon this yagna of yours. Let it come to an end.’
“The Gandharva continued, ‘Thus addressed by (Rishi) Pulastya, as also by the intelligent Vasishtha,
that mighty Muni – the son of Shakti (Rishi Paraashara) then brought that yagna to an end. The Rishi put the fire that he had
ignited for the purpose of the Rakshasa Satra into the deep forest on the north
of the Himavat (present-day Himalayas).
That fire may be seen to this day consuming Rakshasas and trees and stones in
all seasons.’”
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