Devoted to virtue, he led a life of purity and
self-restraint. Possessed of great ascetic merit, he was compassionate
unto all creatures and never injured anyone. In word, deed, and thought,
he maintained an equal behaviour towards all creatures. Without wrath, O
monarch, censure and praise were equal to him. Of equal attitude towards
the agreeable and the disagreeable, he was, like Yama himself, thoroughly
impartial. The great ascetic looked with an equal eye upon gold and a
heap of pebbles. He daily worshipped the gods and guests, and Brahmanas
(that came to him). Ever devoted to righteousness, he always practised
the vow of brahmacarya. Once upon a time, an intelligent ascetic, O
monarch, of the name of Jaigishavya, devoted to Yoga and rapt in
meditation and leading the life of a mendicant, came to Devala's asylum.
Possessed of great splendour, that great ascetic, ever devoted to Yoga, O
monarch, while residing in Devala's asylum, became crowned with ascetic
success. Indeed, while the great Muni Jaigishavya resided there, Devala
kept his eyes on him, never neglecting him at any time. Thus, O monarch,
a long time was passed by the two in days of yore. On one occasion,
Devala lost sight of Jaigishavya, that foremost of ascetics. At the hour,
however, of dinner, O Janamejaya, the intelligent and righteous ascetic,
leading a life of mendicancy, approached Devala for soliciting alms.
Beholding that great ascetic re-appear in the guise of a mendicant,
Devala showed him great honour and expressed much gratification.
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