Section CCXXXIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing those words of her sons Jarita continued,

'The little mouse that had come out of this hole was seized by a hawk with his claws and carried away hence. Therefore, you may fearlessly enter this hole now.'

The young ones replied,

'We are not by any means certain of that mouse having been taken away by the hawk. There may be other mice living here. From them we have every fear. Whereas it is doubtful whether fire will at all approach us here. Already we see an adverse wind blowing the flames away.

If we enter the hole, death is certain at the hands of the dwellers in the hole. But if we remain where we are, death is uncertain.

O mother, a position in which death is uncertain is better than that in which it is certain. It is your duty, therefore, to escape thyself, for, if you livest you mayest obtain other children as good.'

"Their mother then said,

'You children, I myself saw the mighty hawk, that best of birds, swoop down and fly away with the mouse from the hole. And while he was flying away swiftly, I followed him behind and pronounced blessing on him for his having taken away the mouse from the hole.

I said unto him.

'O king of hawks, because you are flying away with our enemy, the mouse, in your claws, mayest you, without a foe, live in heaven with a golden body.'

Afterwards when that hawk devoured the mouse, I came away, obtaining his leave. Therefore, you children, enter this hole trustfully. You have nothing to fear. The mouse that was its inmate was seized and taken away by the hawk in my sight.'

The young ones again said,

'O mother, we do not by any means know that the mouse has been carried away by the hawk. We cannot enter this hole in the ground without being certain of the fact.'

Their mother said,

'I know to a certainty that the mouse has been carried away by the hawk. Therefore, you children, you have nothing to fear; do what I say.'

The young ones again said,

'We do not, O mother, say that you are dispelling our fears with a false story. For whatever is done by a person when his reason has been disturbed can scarcely be said to be that person’s deliberate act.

You have not been benefited by us, nor dost you know who we are. Why dost you, therefore, strive to protect us at so much cost to thyself? Who are we to you?

You are young and handsome, and capable of seeking out your husband. Go unto your husband. You shalt obtain good children again. Let us by entering the fire attain to regions of felicity.

If, however, the fire consume us not, you mayest come back and obtain us again.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'The parent bird then, thus addressed by her sons, left them in Khandava and hastily went to the spot where there was no fire and there was safety. Then Agni in haste and with fierce flames approached the spot where the sons of Mandapala were. The young birds saw the blazing fire come towards them. Then Jaritari, the eldest of the four, in the hearing of Agni, began to speak.'"