01.149
Core:Kunti's proposes to send Bhima.
Kunti said:
Do not be sorrowful, for this should not be done by you out of fear. The means have been thoroughly seen here, therefore, O demon, for liberation.
You have one son and one daughter, both ascetics. But I do not like their going there as your wives.
One of my five daughters will go to Brahman, taking an offering for your cause. The demon will bear the consequences of his sin.
The Brahman said:
I will not do this, for the sake of life, in any way. Nor will I separate the life for the Brahman or the guest for their own purpose.
There is no righteousness in those without lineage and without Dharma. One should not give up oneself or even the son for the Brahman’s cause.
Indeed, I prefer the better path, which is the understanding of the self. The killing of a Brahman or self-destruction is indeed better for me.
The killing of a Brahman is the greatest sin, there is no expiation for it. Even if done in ignorance, self-destruction is better for me.
I do not desire to kill, I prefer my own good. If done by others, I do not bear the sin in me.
If I had done this with intent, I would not see any expiation, only cruelty and a very small sin.
For the one who has come, renunciation and similarly killing of a seeker is regarded as supreme cruelty, according to my opinion.
They should never perform condemned actions, nor cruelty at any time. Thus, the great souls of the past, who know the dharma of adversity, are aware.
Indeed, the destruction of the wife today is better for me. I will not approve of the killing of a Brahman in any way.
Kunti said:
My opinion is firm, O Brahman, that my sons should be protected. Even if a hundred sons were born to me, none would be inauspicious.
The demon is not capable of destroying my sons. My son is powerful, accomplished in mantras, and radiant.
The demon will provide all of that as food. He will liberate my soul, thus my opinion is determined.
Those demons who had previously been seen, and gathered with the hero, were powerful and of great size. They were killed many times.
This should not be said in any way, O Brahman. Indeed, my sons will ask questions out of curiosity.
My son, without permission from the teacher, should not be made to take up work for knowledge, this is the opinion of the wise.
Vaishampayana said:
Thus spoken to, the Brahman, pleased, worshiped with his wife, those words, which were like nectar.
Then, Kunti and the Brahman, together with the son of the wind, said to him, "Do it," and he replied, "So be it," to both.
