Chapter LIX

When the king had spoken thus, Kauśika’s son, moved with pity, said these sweet words to the king who had undergone Caṇḍāla-hood.

O descendant of Ikṣvāku, have you had a pleasant journey? I know you well, O highly virtuous one. Refuge will I grant you, so fear not, O best of monarchs.

I shall summon all the pious Maharṣis, who shall assist at the sacrifice. O king, and then you will be able to accomplish your purpose easily. And should the guise you have come by in virtue of your preceptor’s curse, cling to you yet, you will bodily repair to heaven in this form. And since appearing before Kuśika’s son, you have taken his refuge, I consider heaven, O lord of men, as if within they grasp.

Having said this, that exceedingly energetic one ordered his highly virtuous and profoundly wise sons to provide the sacrificial necessaries.

Summoning his disciples, he said, ‘Do you by my command bring hither all the saints together with Vasiṣṭha’s sons; and our friends and their disciples an the family priests variously versed in lore.’

Should any summoned by my mandate, say aught, ‘do you fully represent to me the expression of slight.’

Hearing this speech, they set out in different directions; and Brahmavādis^[1] began to pour in from various countries. And the disciples (of Viśvāmitra) returning, fully communicated to that ascetic of flaming energy the words of the Brahmavādis, saying.

Hearing your message, the regenerate ones resident in every part will come here, and some have already arrived, all save Mahodaya and the hundred sons of Vasiṣṭha.

Do you, O foremost of ascetics, listen to the words that they said with accents tremulous with emotion.

How can celestials and saints partake of offerings in the court of him that in addition to being a Chandala, has for this priest a Kṣatriya? And how can high-souled Brāhmaṇas, patronised by Viśvāmitra, attain to heaven, having partaken of a Candāla’s fare?

These cruel words, O powerful ascetic, did Vasiṣṭha’s sons together with Mahodaya, utter with reddened eyes.’

Hearing those words of theirs, that foremost of ascetics, with eyes reddened in anger, wrathfully cried.

Since blameless as I am, those wicked-minded ones censure me practising fierce austerities, they shall, without doubt, be reduced to ashes.

And this very day bound by the noose of Kala, meeting with destruction at the hands of Vivaśvata’s son, (Yama) they shall for seven hundred firths range these worlds, wearing dead men’s clothes, always feeding on dogs’ flesh, going by the name of Mahodaya also has blamed me, although undeserving of blame; therefore, reproved of all, he shall undergo Niṣādahood. And becoming cruel, and engaged in taking life, he shall through my ire fare wretchedly for a long lapse of time?

Having uttered this in the assembly of saints, that mighty ascetic, the highly powerful Viśvāmitra of fierce asceticism, paused.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A Brahmavādi is one who maintains that all things are Spirit.