SECTION CLXIII
(Vaka-vadha Parva Continued)
"Kunti said, Grieve not at all, O Brahmana,
on account of this danger. I see a way by which to rescue thee from that
Rakshasa. Thou hast only one son, who, besides, is of very tender years, also
only one daughter, young and helpless, so I do not like that any of these, or
thy wife, or even thyself should go unto the Rakshasa. I have five sons, O
Brahmana, let one of them go, carrying in thy behalf tribute of that Rakshasa.'
"Hearing this, the Brahmana replied, 'To
save my own life I shall never suffer this to be done. I shall never sacrifice,
to save myself, the life of a Brahmana or of a guest. Indeed, even those that
are of low origin and of sinful practices refuse to do (what thou askest me to
do). It is said that one should sacrifice one's self and one's offspring for
the benefit of a Brahmana. I regard this advice excellent and I like to follow
it too. When I have to choose between the death of a Brahmana and that of my
own, I would prefer the latter. The killing of a Brahmana is the highest sin,
and there is no expiation for it. I think a reluctant sacrifice of one's own
self is better than the reluctant sacrifice of a Brahmana. O blessed lady, in
sacrificing myself I do not become guilty of self-destruction. No sin can
attach to me when another will take my life. But if I deliberately consent to
the death of a Brahmana, it would be a cruel and sinful act, from the
consequence of which there is no escape. The learned have said that the
abandonment of one who hath come to thy house or sought thy protection, as also
the killing of one who seeketh death at thy hands, is both cruel and sinful.
The illustrious among those conversant with practices allowable in seasons of
distress, have before now said that one should never perform an act that is
cruel and censurable. It is well for me that I should today perish myself with
my wife, but I would never sanction the death of a Brahmana.'
"Kunti said, 'I too am firmly of opinion, O
Brahmana, that Brahmanas should ever be protected. As regards myself, no son of
mine would be less dear to me even if I had a hundred instead of the five I
have. But this Rakshasa will not be able to kill my son, for that son of mine
is endued with great prowess and energy, and skilled in mantras. He will
faithfully deliver to the Rakshasa his food, but will, I know to a certainty,
rescue himself. I have seen before many mighty Rakshasas of huge bodies engaged
in combat with my heroic son and killed too by him. But, O Brahmana, do not
disclose this fact to anybody, for if it be known, persons desirous of
obtaining this power, will, from curiosity, always trouble my sons. The wise
have said that if my son imparteth any knowledge, without the assent of his
preceptor, unto any person, my son himself will no longer be able to profit by
that knowledge.'
"Thus addressed by Pritha, the Brahmana with
his wife became exceedingly glad and assented to Kunti's speech, which was unto
them as nectar. Then Kunti, accompanied by the Brahmana, went unto the son of
Vayu (Bhima) and asked him to accomplish (that difficult task). Bhima replied
unto them, saying, 'So be it.'"
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