Sages & Deities argues on sacrificing Food or Goat in Yagna, Uparichara supports the deities and faces consequences
After Yudhisthira was crowned as King of Hastinapur, Lord Krishna freed amazing Bhishma from all of his sufferings before his death and asked him to alleviate Yudhisthira from mourning over the lifeless Kshatriyas by the way of advising him on Dharma.
Yudhishthir asked Bhishma despite being a great devotee of God and a great man, how did King Uparichara Vasu fall from heaven and enter the underworld? In response, Bhishma said this ancient history in the form of dialogues between sages and deities.
Yagya should be performed through 'Ajja', such is the rule.' Having said this, the deities said to all the great Brahma rishis presented there, 'Here ajja should be understood to mean goat and not any other animal, this is certain. The sages said, "Deities! yagyas should be performed with seeds, such as the Vedic shruti. The name of the seeds itself is 'Ajja'. Therefore, it is not right for us to kill the goat. Deities! Wherever there is killing of animals in glory, it is not the duty of good men. Great Satyayuga is going on. How can an animal be killed in this?"
Thus, when the sages were having a conversation with the deities, at the same time King Uparichara Vasu, came that way. King used to travel through the sky with his army and Vahan. Seeing Vasu arriving, the Brahma rishis said to the deities that the king would remove their doubts because he was the one who performed yagnas, was charitable, the best and the well-wisher and beloved of all the bhutas & could not say words contrary to the scriptures. Having agreed thus, the deities and the sages came and asked the king, "By whom should the Yagya be performed? By a goat or by food? Please clear our doubt."
Then King Vasu while folding his hands, asked them, "Please tell me truthfully, which among you wants which opinion? Who believes that Ajja means goat and who believes that it means food? The sage said as per them it should be achieved through food and as per deities goat. King Vasu, after knowing the opinion of the deities, took their side and agreed with the sacrifice of the goat.
Hearing this, all the sages became angry and said to Vasu, "You are speaking on the side of the deities while sitting on the vimana! Even after knowing that Ajja means food, you have taken the side of the deities; Therefore fall from heaven. From today onwards your power to roam in the sky has been destroyed. Due to our curse, you will enter the underworld. If you have spoken against the Vedas and sutras, then this curse of ours will be applied and if we have spoken words contrary to the scriptures, then we will fall." As soon as the sages said this, at that very moment King Uparichara came down from the sky. went and immediately entered the patala.
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Even at that time, because of the approval of Lord Narayana, his memory power could not leave him. All the deities started thinking of a way to free the king from the curse. They spoke to each other That the great virtuous king has received this curse because of them. They went to Uparichara and said, "King! You are a devotee of Lord Vishnu and he is the guru of all the deities and demons. His heart is satisfied with you; Therefore, he will free you from the curse. You should always respect Brahmins. Certainly, this is the result of their penance; Because of which you suddenly fell from the sky and went to the underworld. We offer you a favour of ours. As long as you remain in the depths of the earth due to the curse, you will continue to receive the offerings of Vasundhara given in yagyas by the concentrated Brahmins. Guilt will not be able to touch you and even while living in this hell, you will not suffer from hunger and thirst; Because by drinking Vasudhara your radiance will continue to increase. May Lord Shri Hari be pleased with our boon and take you to Brahmaloka."
Thereafter Basu started worshipping Lord Vishvaksena and started continuously chanting the mantra 'Om Namo Narayanaya' that appeared from the mouth of Lord Narayana. While living there in the depths of the underworld, Uparichara used to worship Shri Hari five times a day by performing five yagnas. He had conquered his mind and was always engaged in the worship of the Lord. Lord Narayana was very satisfied with the devotion of his devotee. Then Lord Vishnu, said to Garuda, "You go to King Vasu, who observes a strict fast. He has entered the underworld due to the anger of the Brahmins. Yet he has always respected the best Brahmins; Therefore, you go to him. By my permission, make him fly in the sky soon."
After receiving this command, great Garuda flew and entered the underworld where King Vasu was seated. Garuda suddenly picked up the king from there, immediately flew into the sky and left him there. At that very moment, King Uparichara Vasu again appeared 'Upari-chara'. Then he went to Brahmaloka.
Ref: Mahabharata Book Shanti Parva