________________
251
field, and to beget offspring pair indiscriminately with their kind. [A son] is the much-commended certain path to happiness, by which all [rational] beings having male progeny travel; and birds and beasts are conscious of the same."
ANCIENT RELIGION OF INDIA.
Having repeated verses to this effect, Nárada advised Harischandra to pray to Varuńa for a son, promising to present him as an offering to that divinity. "So be it, "said the prince; and repairing to Varuna he said: "Let a son be born unto me, and with him, I will sacrifice to you."-"So be it," said Varuńa, and a son was born to the king, who was named Rohita. "A son has been born to you," said Varuna, "sacrifice with him to me."-"An animal," replied the king, "is fit for sacrifice only after ten days from birth. When the term of purification shall have passed, I will sacrifice to you."-"Very well," said Varuna. The ten days expired, and Varuna said, "Now sacrifice with him to me." The king replied, "An animal is fit for sacrifice only when the teeth are cut; let the teeth come through, and then I will sacrifice to you." Varuna consented: the teeth were cut: "and now," said Varuna, "sacrifice with him to me."-"No," replied the king, "an animal is fit for sacrifice only when the first teeth are shed: let the teeth be shed, and then I will sacrifice to you."-"So be it," said Varuna.
Well, the teeth were shed; "And now," said Varuña, "sacrifice with him to me."-"No," objected the king; "an animal is fit for sacrifice only when his
