Afterwards, when competent, one
should seek the acquisition of merit. The Kshatriyas should observe the
practices of Indra. It is the duty of the Brahmanas to behave like Agni.
The Vedas are fire. They constitute my strength. I shall, therefore, eat
even this unclean food for appeasing my hunger. That by which life may be
preserved should certainly be accomplished without scruple. Life is
better than death. Living, one may acquire virtue. Solicitous of
preserving my life, I desire, with the full exercise of my understanding,
to eat this unclean food. Let me receive thy permission. Continuing to
live I shall seek the acquisition of virtue and shall destroy by penances
and by knowledge the calamities consequent on my present conduct, like
the luminaries of the firmament destroying even the thickest gloom.'
"The Chandala said, 'By eating this food one (like thee) cannot obtain
long life. Nor can one (like thee) obtain strength (from such food), nor
that gratification which ambrosia offers. Do thou seek for some other
kind of alms. Let not thy heart incline towards eating dog's meat. The
dog is certainly an unclean food to members of the regenerate classes.'
"Viswamitra said, 'Any other kind of meat is not to be easily had during
a famine like this. Besides, O Chandala, I have no wealth (wherewith to
buy food). I am exceedingly hungry. I cannot move any longer. I am
utterly hopeless. I think that all the six kinds of taste are to be found
in that piece of dog's meat.
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