understand any thing and the entire world was bewildered (23). Then prostrating themselves before the Grand-Father (Brahmā) they again prayed to him for the behoof of the world. There upon he (Brahmā) said to them (14):—’You should undergo a penance for you have committed a transgression.²⁹ Do ye accost your sons and you will come by true knowledge (25)’. (Thereupon) for the purpose of going through a penance they, in great misery, asked their sons, who, self-controlled as they were, communicated to them (the truth) (26). ’Persons conversant with religious practices lay down penances for sins committed by words, deeds and thoughts and they daily perform them (27).’ Then informed of the true import of _Prāyaschitta_ (penance) the gods regained their consciousness and were accosted by the sons, saying ’Go ye sons’ (28). Thus cursed and reviled the gods, at the words of sons, approached the grand-father (Brahmā) to have their doubts³⁰ removed (29). The Deity (Brahmā) then said to them:—’Ye are all Brahmavādins.³¹ So what they have said will come to pass and it will not be otherwise (30). O gods, ye have given them the body and they have given ye the knowledge and are undoubtedly your fathers (31). Ye are gods and they are the Pitris and undoubtedly you are their fathers and they are yours’" (32). Thereupon the dwellers of heaven returned and said to the sons:—"Our doubts have been snapped by Brahmā and so we shall be loving towards each other (33). Since ye, being conversant with religious merit, have conferred upon us knowledge, you are our fathers. Tell us what do you seek and what boons may we confer upon you (34). What you have said will forsooth prove true and not be otherwise. Since you have addressed us as sons undoubtedly you will be our fathers (35). The Rakshasas, Dānavas and Nāgas will be entitled to the fruits of an action which a man will perform without propitiating the Pitris with the performance of Srāddhas³² (36). Being propitiated by Srāddhas the Pitris will propitiate the eternal. Moon. And being propitiated by you, they will continue flourishing every day (37). Being propitiated by Srāddha the Moon will afford delight to all the worlds consisting of oceans, mountains, forests and all creatures both mobile and immobile (38). The Pitris will always confer nourishment and progeny upon those men, who desirous of nourishment, will perform Srāddhas (39). Being propitiated with oblations afforded at Srāddhas, the Pitris with the Omnipresent Grand-Father will advance the prosperity of those who will offer three _Pindas_ uttering their names and _Gotras_ at the time of Srāddha (40). This order was formerly announced by Parameshthi Brahmā. Let his words prove true to-day, O gods, and we are now respectively fathers and sons". Sanatkumar said:—Those Pitris are the gods and the gods are the gods, and they are respectively each other’s fathers (42). ²⁸ A sage whose passions are completely under subjection.