Section CLXLIV

Markandeya continued,

"Listen now to another story.

One day as king Yayati, the son of Nahusha, was sitting on his throne, surrounded by the citizens, there came unto him a Brahmana desirous of soliciting wealth for his preceptor, and approaching the king, the Brahmana said,

'O king, I beg of you wealth for my preceptor according to my covenant.'

And the king said,

'O Holy One, tell me what your covenant is.'

And thereupon the Brahmana said,

'O king, in this world when men are asked for alms, they entertain contempt for him that asks it. I therefore, ask you, O king, with what feelings you will give me what I ask and upon which I have set my heart.'

And the king replied saying,

'Having given away a thing, I never boast of it. I never also listen to solicitations for things that cannot be given. I listen, however, to prayers for things that can be given and giving them away I always become happy. I will give you a thousand kine. The Brahmana that asks me for a gift is always dear to me. I am never angry with the person that begs of me and I am never sorry for having given away a thing!'

And the Brahmana then obtained from the king a thousand kine and went away."