03.197
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
O Bharata, there was someone named Kauśika, the foremost among the twice-born, a reciter of the Vedas, endowed with austerity, an ascetic and of righteous character. (03-197-1)
The foremost among the twice-born studies the Vedas along with the Upaniṣads; standing at the root of a tree somewhere, he recites the Vedas. (03-197-2)
Above the tree, a crane settled, and she dropped excrement right upon the Brāhmaṇa. (03-197-3)
Seeing her, then angry, the twice-born reflected. The heron was intensely gazed at by one overpowered by anger. (03-197-4)
Cursed by the brāhmaṇa, she fell to the ground. Seeing the crane fallen, lifeless and unconscious, the brāhmaṇa, deeply moved by compassion, grieved for her. (03-197-5)
Having repeatedly said, "I have committed an improper act, made so by the power of attachment and aversion," the learned one resorted to a village for alms. (03-197-6)
O best of the Bharatas, moving about in the pure village among families, he entered that very family where he had formerly lived. (03-197-7)
When begging with the words ‘Give’, and being told ‘Wait’ by the woman, the housewife cleans the vessel as long as necessary. (03-197-8)
Meanwhile, O King, severely oppressed by hunger, her husband, best among the Bharatas, suddenly entered. (03-197-9)
But she, the virtuous woman, having seen her husband, set aside the brāhmaṇa, and gave to her husband water for washing his feet, water for sipping, and also a seat. (03-197-10)
The dark-eyed woman, humbly served her husband, by means of food, eatables, and likewise with very sweet words. (03-197-11)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, she always ate her husband's leftovers. She regarded her husband as a deity and acted according to his wishes. (03-197-12)
She did not act, think, eat, or drink excessively; she, who was wholly devoted and engaged in the service of her husband. (03-197-13)
She is of virtuous conduct, pure, skilful, a well-wisher of her family; she always follows whatever is beneficial to her husband. (03-197-14)
She is always devoted to serving divinity, guests, servants, as well as mother-in-law and father-in-law, constantly practicing self-restraint. (03-197-15)
Then the auspicious-eyed woman, while serving her husband, saw the Brahmin standing there seeking alms and remembered (something or someone). (03-197-16)
O best of the Bharatas, then the illustrious and virtuous lady, feeling ashamed, having taken alms for the brahmin, went out. (03-197-17)
The brāhmaṇa said.
"What is this?"—saying thus, 'You, stand by me,' O beautiful-limbed one, you have obstructed me and have not let me go. (03-197-18)
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
O king of men, seeing the Brahmin tormented by anger and blazing with brilliance, the virtuous woman spoke to him with gentle, conciliatory words. (03-197-19)
O Brāhmaṇa, you should forgive me. My husband is for me a great divinity. And he too, hungry and weary, came and was served by me. (03-197-20)
The Brāhmaṇa said.
You do not consider brahmins as superior; you regard your husband as superior. Engaged in the householder’s duties, you disparage the brahmins. (03-197-21)
Even Indra bows to these; how much more should humans on earth? O arrogant one, you do not know the elders, nothing has been heard by you. For Brāhmaṇas, truly like fire, could even burn the earth. (03-197-22)
The woman said.
I do not disregard Brāhmaṇas, these wise ones who are equal to the gods. O sinless Brāhmaṇa, you ought to forgive this offense of mine. (03-197-23)
I know the power of the brāhmaṇas and the great fortune of the wise. The ocean, indeed, was made salty and undrinkable from (their) anger. (03-197-24)
Likewise, the fire of anger of those sages of blazing austerity and purified selves does not subside even today in the Dandaka (forest). (03-197-25)
Because of his insult to the brāhmaṇas, the wicked-souled Vātāpi, a cruel and great asura, was digested after coming before the sage Agastya. (03-197-26)
Many powers, too, are heard of among those who speak of Brahman. O Brahman, anger is very great, and so is the grace of the great-souled. (03-197-27)
O Brahman, in this transgression, you ought to forgive me, O sinless one. The righteousness that pleases me is service to my husband, O twice-born. (03-197-28)
Even among all deities, my husband is my supreme deity; without any distinction, I should perform duty to him, O best of twice-born. (03-197-29)
O brāhmaṇa, behold the result of serving one's husband: the heron was burnt by you in anger; that is known to me. (03-197-30)
Anger is an enemy dwelling in the body of humans, O best of twice-born. He who abandons anger and delusion, him the gods recognize as a Brahman. (03-197-31)
He who speaks the truth here, satisfies his teacher, and, though harmed, does not harm him—the gods recognize that person as a Brāhmaṇa. (03-197-32)
The gods recognize as a brahmin one who has conquered his senses, is devoted to dharma, engaged in self-study, is pure, and has desire and anger under control. (03-197-33)
The gods know him as a brāhmaṇa, whose mind is steadfast, who knows dharma, who regards the whole world as equal to himself, and who delights in all righteous duties. (03-197-34)
Whoever teaches, studies, performs sacrifices, causes others to perform sacrifices, or gives as much as he is able—the gods recognize him as a Brāhmaṇa. (03-197-35)
The celibate student, or the best among twice-born, should study the Vedas; and being diligent in self-study, him the gods recognize as a Brāhmaṇa. (03-197-36)
One should declare whatever is for the welfare of the brāhmaṇas to them. The mind of those who speak the truth does not take pleasure in falsehood. (03-197-37)
But the wealth of a Brāhmaṇa, they say, is study of the Veda, self-restraint, and straightforwardness, as well as perpetual control of the senses, O best of twice-born. In truth and straightforwardness, the knower of dharma declares supreme righteousness. (03-197-38)
Dharma is eternal and difficult to comprehend; yet it is established in truth. Dharma should be known by the authority of the Veda—such is the teaching of the elders. (03-197-39)
Dharma is seen in many ways and is indeed subtle, O best of the twice-born. Although you also are a knower of dharma, devoted to self-study, and pure, yet my opinion is that you do not know the principles of dharma in essence, O venerable one. (03-197-40)
The hunter dwelling in Mithilā, who serves his mother and father, speaks the truth, and has mastered his senses—he will expound the dharmas to you. Go there as you wish. Good fortune to you, O best of the twice-born. (03-197-41)
O blameless one, even all that I have said excessively, you ought to forgive. Indeed, women are not to be slain by any people who know dharma. (03-197-42)
The Brāhmaṇa said.
I am pleased with you, good be to you. My anger has left, O beautiful one. The reproach you have spoken is truly for my highest welfare. May well-being be with you. I will go and accomplish it, O beautiful one. (03-197-43)
Markandeya said.
Set free by her, the brahmin Kauśika, best of men, went out to his own house, blaming himself. (03-197-44)
