Beholding him thus prepared, the eldest son of Dharma, viz., the powerful Narayana, addressed him, saying,-Whom you adoring, O foremost of twice-born ones, by these rites and the observances in connection with the gods and the departed means. O foremost of all persons gifted with intelligence, tell me this, agreeably to the scriptures. What is this that you are doing? What also are the fruits desired by you of those rites which you are performing. are
ततस्तं वचनं प्राह ज्येष्ठो धर्मात्मजः प्रभुः। क इज्यते द्विजश्रेष्ठ दैवे पित्र्ये च कल्पिते॥ त्वया मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ तन्मे शंस यथागमम्। किमेतत् क्रियते कर्म फलं वास्य किमिष्यते॥