(Chaitraratha Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'That bull among the Bharatas, Arjuna, hearing
these words of the Gandharva, was inspired with feelings of devotion, and
stood comfortably like the full moon. And that mighty bowman, that
foremost one in Kuru's race having his curiosity greatly excited
by what he heard of Vasishtha's ascetic power, asked the Gandharva,
saying, "I desire to hear of the Rishi whom thou hast mentioned
as Vasishtha. O, tell me in full about him! O chief of the Gandharvas,
tell me who this illustrious Rishi was that was the priest of our
forefathers." The Gandharva replied, "Vasishtha is Brahma's spiritual
(lit, mind-born) son and Arundhati's husband. Ever difficult of being
conquered by the very immortals, Desire and Wrath, conquered by
Vasishtha's ascetic penances, used to shampoo his feet. Though his wrath
was excited by Viswamitra's offence, that high-souled Rishi did not yet
exterminate Kusikas (the tribe whose king Viswamitra was). Afflicted at
the loss of his sons, he did not, as though powerless, though really
otherwise, do any dreadful act destructive of Viswamitra. Like the ocean
transgressing not its continents, Vasishtha transgressed not (the laws of)
Yama by bringing back his children from the domains of the king of the
dead. It was by obtaining that illustrious one who had conquered his own
self that Ikshvaku and other great monarchs acquired the whole earth. And,
O prince of Kuru's race, it was by obtaining Vasishtha, that best of
Rishis as their priest, that those monarchs performed many grand
sacrifices. And, O best of the Pandavas, that regenerate Rishi assisted
these monarchs in the performance of their sacrifices like Vrihaspati
assisting the immortals. Therefore, look ye for some accomplished and
desirable Brahmana conversant with the Vedas and in whose heart virtue
prevails, to appoint as your priest. A Kshatriya of good lineage, desirous
of extending his dominions by conquering the earth, should, O Partha,
first appoint a priest. He who is desirous of conquering the earth should
have a Brahmana before him. Therefore, O Arjuna, let some accomplished and
learned Brahmana, who has his senses under complete control and who is
conversant with religion, profit and pleasure, be your priest."'"