ṛṣis

Then all the bands of sages, gathered together with one another, filled with great joy, passed that night in happiness.

To behold Rāma bearing the supreme weapon, the hosts of sages and the gods, with Brahmā the Grandfather at their head, assembled there in multitudes.

Beholding him of terrifying aspect, blazing as if he were fire, the brāhmaṇas headed by Vasiṣṭha — all the sages devoted to prayer and oblation — gathered and began to murmur to one another.

Whatever merit has been declared by Manu for each of these marriages, hear it all, O sages, as I declare it all to you.

In order to atone for the sin committed in all these successively, five great sacrifices were ordained by the great sages for householders to perform daily.

Now learn from what source all of these have their origin, and by what rules and by whom they are to be worshipped. // Mn_3.193[183M] //

Having honored Yājñavalkya, the lord of yogis, the sages spoke:

"Those who will diligently master this Dharmaśāstra, having obtained fame in this world, will go to heaven.

Having heard these `*dharma*`s spoken by Yājñavalkya, the sages spoke this to that great-souled one, the lord of yogis of immeasurable splendor:

I pay homage to you as the seers do — O Heaven and Earth, be gracious to me — release us from distress.

He with whom as ally the ṛṣis shone apart Vala, through whom the sorceries of the Asuras were cut away, that Agni with whom Indra conquered the Paṇis — may he release us from distress.

Regard as wise men, not those who dispute subtly about trifling matters, but those who speak well on the great issues;

For, besides what I have said of them, they look upon men of wisdom with suspicion, while they regard men of no understanding as open and sincere;

rather you should listen to the poets and learn from the sages and so equip your mind to judge those who are inferior and to emulate those who are superior to yourself;

May we win a thousand with the ṛṣis — may we know the winning path and the life-giving community.

May that, O heroes, O Nāsatyas, follow you — what the sages of inspired mind have uttered in praise of you.

For sages, their deity’s abode is in heaven.

> In water is the god of the twice-born, for sages the deity is in heaven.

So says the deluded one, for he is considered to hold a dualistic view by the wise.

the deity of the ṛṣis is in heaven.

The class of *ṛṣis* says the Lord's authority is in the sky.

Thus spoke the Lord, instructing the revered Kumāra in the *upadeśa* and the *tattva* of the host of *ṛṣis*.

The Sages:

To Yama, residing in his hermitage, seated comfortably, a master of the Vedas and Śāstras, / the sages approached and asked, their minds held in check.

When an occasion for complying with the request of a friend, and a chance of getting money come together, the Sages say that the chance of getting money should be preferred.

Now, the Sages are of opinion that when a courtesan has the chance of an equal gain from two lovers at the same time, a preference should be given to the one who would give her the kind of thing which she wants.

When one of the two lovers is grateful, and the other liberal, some Sages say that the liberal one should be preferred, but Vatsyayana is of opinion that the former should be chosen, because liberal men are generally haughty, plain spoken, and wanting in consideration towards others.