That man perpetrates a
great sin who slays a bull or a cow.[1161] In days of yore, many Rishis
with restrained senses addressed Nahusha, saying, 'Thou hast, O king,
slain a cow which is declared in the scriptures to be like unto one's
mother. Thou hast also slain a bull, which is declared to be like unto
the Creator himself.[1162] Thou hast perpetrated an evil act, O Nahusha,
and we have been exceedingly pained at it.' For cleansing Nahusha,
however, they divided that sin into a hundred and one parts and
converting the fragments into diseases cast them among all
creatures.[1163] Thus, O Jajali, did those highly-blessed Rishis cast
that sin on all living creatures, and addressing Nahusha who had been
guilty of foeticide, said, 'We shall not be able to pour libations in thy
sacrifice.' Thus said those high-souled Rishis and Yatis conversant with
the truths of all things, having ascertained by their ascetic power that
king Nahusha had not been intentionally guilty of that sin.[1164] These,
O Jajali, are some of the wicked and dreadful practices that are current
in this world. Thou practisest them because they are practised by all men
from ancient times, and not because they agree with the dictates of thy
cleansed understanding. One should practise what one considers to be
one's duty, guided by reasons, instead of blindly following the practices
of the world. Listen now, O Jajali, as to what my behaviour is towards
him that injures and him that praises me.
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