²⁴⁹ Fire was an object of worship with the ancient Aryans. It was compulsory for three higher castes to preserve consecrated fire in their house. It was kept perpetually and handed down from one generation to another. From the Vedic writings it appears that the ancient Aryans used to worship fire as a sacred element. This fire-worship still prevails amongst the followers of Zoroaster. This fact goes to prove that the Parsis and the Hindus are of the same stock. ²⁵⁰ Putra is derived from _Put_ the name of a hell and the root _tra_ to save from the hell _Put_. ²⁵¹ _i.e._ The master of the city will soon die. ²⁵² The star Arcturus or fifteenth lunar asterism consisting of but one star. Mythologically it is one of the wives of the sun. ²⁵³ A star in the virgin’s spike. _Swati_ is the star under whose influence Kansa was born. _Chitra_ was then in the tenth place. Rahu was inimical there. From this, it is evident that all his attempts will prove futile and he will meet with death. ²⁵⁴ The planet Mars. ²⁵⁵ The planet Mercury. This portends that his adminstration will come to an end. ²⁵⁶ The dragon’s tail or descending node, in astronomy the ninth of the planets. The rising of a comet is an evil omen. ²⁵⁷ The name of the sacred lunar asterism containing three stars. CHAPTER LXXIX. THE DESTRUCTION OF KESHI. Vaishampayana said:—Hearing the words of Andha ka, Kansa’s eyes were reddened with anger. Without giving vent to a single word he entered into his own house (1). Having their resolution thus frustrated, Yādavas, well-versed in Srutis, repaired to their respective habitations talking over the ill-conduct of Kansa (2).