At times, however, that
great god becomes a consumer of everything. Know that I have now become
even like him in that respect.' Hearing these words of the great Rishi,
the Chandala answered him, saying, 'Listen to me. Having heard the words
of truth that I say, act in such a way that thy religious merit may not
perish. Hear, O regenerate Rishi, what I say unto thee about thy duty.
The wise say that a dog is less clean than a jackal. The haunch, again,
of a dog is a much worse part than other parts of his body. This was not
wisely resolved by thee, therefore, O great Rishi, this act that is
inconsistent with righteousness, this theft of what belongs to a
Chandala, this theft, besides, of food that is unclean. Blessed be thou,
do thou look for some other means for preserving thy life. O great sage,
let not thy penances suffer destruction in consequence of this thy strong
desire for dog's meat. Knowing as thou dost the duties laid down in the
scriptures, thou shouldst not do an act whose consequence is a confusion
of duties.[431] Do not cast off righteousness, for thou art the foremost
of all persons observant of righteousness.' Thus addressed, O king, the
great Rishi Viswamitra, afflicted by hunger, O bull of Bharata's race,
once more said, 'A long time has passed away without my having taken any
food. I do not see any means again for preserving my life. One should,
when one is dying, preserve one's life by any means in one's power
without judging of their character.
Pages:
1593
1594
1595
1596
1597
1598
1599
1600
1601
1602
1603
1604
1605
1606
1607
1608
1609
1610
1611
1612
1613
1614
1615
1616
1617