SECTION –CLXLV
(Markandeya-Samasya Parva Continued)
Vaisampayana said, "The son of Pandu again
addressed the Rishi and said, 'Speak thou unto us of the high fortune of royal
Kshatriyas!' And Markandeya said, 'There were two kings of the name of
Vrishadarbha and Seduka and both of them were conversant with morals and with
weapons of attack and defence. And Seduka knew that Vrishadarbha had from his
boyhood an unuttered vow that he would give no other metal unto Brahmanas save
gold and silver. And once on a time a Brahmana having completed his study of
the Vedas came unto Seduka and uttering a benediction upon him begged of him
wealth for his preceptor, saying, 'Give me a thousand steeds.' And thus
addressed, Seduka said unto him, 'It is not possible for me to give thee this
for thy preceptor. Therefore, go thou unto king Vrishadarbha, for, O Brahmana,
he is a highly virtuous king. Go and beg of him. He will grant thy request.
Even this is his unuttered vow.' Hearing these words that Brahmana went to
Vrishadarbha and begged of him a thousand steeds, and the king thus solicited,
struck the Brahmana with a whip and thereupon the Brahmana said, 'Innocent as I
am, why dost thou attack me thus?' And the Brahmana was on the point of cursing
the king, when the latter said, 'O Brahmana, dost thou curse him that doth not
give thee what thou askest? Or, is this behaviour proper for a Brahmana?' And
the Brahmana said, 'O king of kings, sent unto thee by Seduka, I come before
thee for this.' The king said, 'I will give thee now whatever tribute may come
to me before the morning expire. How indeed, can I send away the man
empty-handed who hath been whipped by me.' And having said this the king gave
unto that Brahmana the entire proceeds of that day and that was more than the
value of a thousand horses.'"
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