The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 176

Section CLXXVI. *( Chaitra-ratha Parva Continued. )* Vaisampayana said, "That bull among the Bharatas—Arjuna—hearing these words of the Gandharva was inspired with a feeling of devotion and stood confest like the moon in full. And that mighty bowman—that foremost of the Kurus—having his curiosity greatly excited by what he had heard of Vashishta's ascetic power, asked the Gandharva, saying, 'I desire to hear of the Rishi whom thou hast mentioned as Vashishta. O tell me in full about him! O chief of the Gandharvas, tell me who this illustrious Rishi was who was the priest of our forefathers!' The Gandharva replied, 'Vashishta is Brahmā's spiritual son and Arandhati's husband. Ever difficult of being conquered even by the immortals, Desire, and Wrath, conquered by Vashishta's ascetic penances, used to shampoo his feet. Though his wrath was excited by Viswamitra's offence, that high-souled Rishi did not yet exterminate the Kaushikas (the tribe whose king Viswamitra was). Afflicted at the loss of his sons, as if powerless though fully capable, he did not do any dreadful deed for the destruction of Viswāmitra. Like the ocean transgressing not its continents, Vashishta transgressed not (the laws of) Yama for bringing back his lost children from the domains of the king of the dead. It was by obtaining that illustrious one who had conquered his own self that Ikshaku and other great monarchs acquired the whole earth. And, O prince of the Kuru race, it was by obtaining as their priest Vashishta—that best of Rishis—that those monarchs performed many grand sacrifices. And, O thou best of the Pandavas, that Brahmana Rishi assisted those monarchs in the performance of their sacrifice like Vrihaspati himself assisting the immortals. Therefore, look ye for some accomplished and desirable Brahmana conversant with the Vedas and in whose heart virtue prevaileth, to be your priest! A Kshatriya of good lineage, desirous of extending his dominions by conquering the earth, should, O Partha, first appoint a priest! He who is desirous of conquering the earth should have a Brahmana before him. Therefore, O Arjuna, let some accomplished and learned Brahmana, having his senses under complete control and conversant with *Dharma*, *Artha* and *Kama*, be your priest!'" Thus ends the hundred and seventy-sixth Section in the Chaitra-ratha of the Adi Parva.