The diverse rites
with respect to the sacrificial fire, the collection of sacred fuel and
of Kusa grass, as also of flowers, and the presentation of Vali
consisting of food adorned with fried paddy (reduced to powder), and the
offer of incense and of light,--all these, O monarch, occurred daily in
the abode of that high-souled king while he dwelt in heaven. Indeed,
though dwelling in heaven, he performed the sacrifice of Japa (or silent
recitation) and the sacrifice of meditation. And, O chastiser of foes,
Nahusha, although he had become the chief of the deities, yet worshipped
all the deities, as he used to do in days of yore, with due rites and
ceremonies. Some time after, Nahusha realised his position as the chief
of all the deities. This filled him with pride. From that time all his
acts (of the kind spoken of) were suspended. Filled with arrogance in
consequence of the boon he had received from all the deities, Nahusha
caused the very Rishis to bear him on their shoulders. In consequence,
however, of his abstention from all religious acts, his energy began to
sustain a diminution. The time was very long for which Nahusha filled
with pride, continued to employ the foremost of Rishis, possessed of
wealth of penances, as the bearers of his vehicles. He caused the Rishis
to discharge by turns his humiliating work.
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