One day he came upon a hamlet, in the midst of a
forest, inhabited by cruel hunters addicted to the slaughter of living
creatures. The little hamlet abounded with broken jars and pots made of
earth. Dog-skins were spread here and there. Bones and skulls, gathered
in heaps, of boars and asses, lay in different places. Cloths stripped
from the dead lay here and there, and the huts were adorned with garlands
of used up flowers.[430] Many of the habitations again were filled with
sloughs cast off by snakes. The place resounded with the loud crowing of
cocks and hens and the dissonant bray of asses. Here and there the
inhabitants disputed with one another, uttering harsh words in shrill
voices. Here and there were temples of gods bearing devices of owls and
other birds. Resounding with the tinkle of iron bells, the hamlet
abounded with canine packs standing or lying on every side. The great
Rishi Viswamitra, urged by pangs of hunger and engaged in search after
food, entered that hamlet and endeavoured his best to find something to
eat. Though the son of Kusika begged repeatedly, yet he failed to obtain
any meat or rice or fruit or root or any other kind of food. He then,
exclaiming, 'Alas, great is the distress that has overtaken me!' fell
down from weakness in that hamlet of the Chandalas. The sage began to
reflect, saying to himself, 'What is best for me to do now?' Indeed, O
best of kings, the thought that occupied him was of the means by which he
could avoid immediate death.
Pages:
1590
1591
1592
1593
1594
1595
1596
1597
1598
1599
1600
1601
1602
1603
1604
1605
1606
1607
1608
1609
1610
1611
1612
1613
1614