And the illustrious monarch's sacrifice was performed according to the
ordinance and in proper season. And the gifts, on that occasion, unto the
Brahmanas were large. And after that monarch's sacrifice had come to an
end, all the other priests who had come to assist at it went away with
Durvasa's leave. All other Sadasyas also of immeasurable energy, who had
been installed at that sacrifice, then went away. That exalted monarch
then entered his own palace, worshipped by exalted Brahmanas conversant
with the Vedas, eulogised by chanters of panegyrical hymns and
congratulated by the citizens.
"Such was the history of that best of monarchs, the royal sage Swetaki,
who, when the time came, ascended to heaven, having won great renown on
earth, and accompanied by the Ritwiks and the Sadasyas that had helped him
in life.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'At that sacrifice of Swetaki, Agni had drunk
clarified butter for twelve years. Indeed, clarified butter had been
poured into Agni's mouth in a continuous stream for that period. Having
drunk so much butter, Agni, satiated, desired not to drink butter again
from the hand of anybody else at any other sacrifice. Agni became pale,
having lost his colour, and he could not shine as before. He felt a loss
of appetite from surfeit, and his energy itself decreased and sickness
afflicted him. Then when the drinker of sacrificial libations perceived
that his energy was gradually diminishing, he went to the sacred abode of
Brahman that is worshipped by all.
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