Mbh 14.7.6

Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'"Marutta said, 'Do thou listen to me, O Samvarta, I did go to Vrihaspati first, but desiring the patronage of Vasava, he did not wish to have me as his sacrificer. He said, "Having secured the priesthood of the Immortals, I do not desire to act for mortals, and, I have been forbidden by Sakra (Indra) to officiate at Marutta's sacrifice, as he told me that Marutta having become lord of the earth, was always filled with a desire to rival him." And to this thy brother assented by saying to the Slayer of Vala (Indra),--"Be it so." Know thou, O best of ascetics, that as he had succeeded in securing the protection of the Lord of the Celestials, I repaired to him with gratified heart, but he did not agree to act as my priest. And thus repulsed, I now desire to spend all I possess, to have this sacrifice performed by thee, and to outstrip Vasava by the merit of thy good offices. As I have been repulsed by Vrihaspati for no fault of mine, I have now no desire, O Brahmana, to go to him to seek his aid in this sacrifice.'

Mbh 14.7.6 · Mahabharata · ASWAMEDHA PARVA

Themes in this passage

Desire Worship The Divine Family Nature Protection

Desire in other traditions

The same theme, as Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Islam address it.

From lust comes grief, from lust comes fear; he who is free from lust knows neither grief nor fear.

Dhp 16.214 · Dhammapada · Pleasure

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Philippians 4:17 · Bible · Philippians

If this transformation became to me an object of desire, I would express the desire by the nameless simplicity. Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their will. PART II.

Tao Te Ching 37.3 · Tao Te Ching

And He it is Who hath appointed night and day in succession, for him who desireth to remember, or desireth thankfulness.

Quran 25:62 · Quran · The Criterion

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