12.024
Library: Vyasa narrates the story of Sudyumna and concludes saying for a kṣatriya, the duty is to punish, not to shave the head.
Yudhishthira said:
O revered one, by whose actions did Sudyumna, the lord of the earth, attain supreme perfection? I wish to hear about that king.
Vyāsa said:
Here too, an ancient story is told: Śaṅkha and Likhita were two brothers who observed strict vows.
The two had charming residences, each separate, always surrounded by trees bearing flowers and fruits, situated along the Bahuda river.
Then, once, Likhita came to Śaṅkha's hermitage. By coincidence, Śaṅkha happened to have left the hermitage at that time.
Then Likhita, having come to the hermitage of his brother Śaṅkha, broke off the properly ripened fruits.
The Brahmin took those things and ate them confidently. While he was still eating, Śaṅkha also arrived at the hermitage.
But when Śaṅkha saw his brother eating, he said: "Where did you get these fruits? For what reason and by whom are you eating them?"
He respectfully touched and saluted his elder brother and said, smiling, 'I have indeed taken these from here.'
Śaṅkha, filled with intense anger, said to him: "You have committed this theft by taking these fruits yourself. Go to the king and openly declare your action."
O best of kings, this is truly the act of taking what is not given. Recognize me as a thief and uphold your duty; quickly inflict my punishment, O ruler of men.
O mighty-armed one, thus, at his words, Likhita, steadfast in his vows, approached Sudyumna, the ruler of the earth.
But when Sudyumna heard from the frontier-guards that a written message had arrived, the king, along with his minister, went there on foot.
Having approached him, the king, foremost knower of Brahman, said: "O venerable one, tell what is the reason for your arrival; that indeed has been done."
Thus spoken to, the sage among Brāhmaṇas said this to Sudyumna: "You have promised, 'I shall do.' Therefore, having heard this, you should do that."
O king, I have eaten fruits not permitted by my teacher, O best of men; therefore, punish me there without delay.
Sudyumna said:
O best of Brāhmaṇas, if you, O king, consider evidence in the wielding of punishment, then even in granting permission, there may be a reason.
O noble one, you who are pure in deeds and steadfast in great vows, having been permitted, speak of any other desires you have; I shall indeed fulfill your word.
Vyāsa said:
Even when entreated by the noble king, the Brahmarṣi chose no boon other than Daṇḍa.
Then the king, upholding justice, ordered the hands of the noble Likhita to be cut off and departed.
He went to his brother Śaṅkha, appearing distressed, and said: 'O venerable one, you should forgive Dhṛtadaṇḍa, who is evil-minded.' 12-24-20.
Śaṅkha said:
I am not angry with you, O knower of dharma, nor have you wronged me. But your dharma has been transgressed; therefore, your atonement has been performed.
Go quickly to the Bāhudā river and, as prescribed, offer oblations to the gods, ancestors, and sages; and do not let your mind dwell on unrighteousness.
Vyāsa said:
After hearing those words from him, Likhita then entered the holy river to fetch water.
Then his hands, resembling lotuses, appeared; then, astonished, he showed those two hands to his brother.
Then Śaṅkha said to him: "This was done by me for the sake of austerity. Do not have any doubt about this; only fate is at work here."
Likhita said:
O best of twice-born, O greatly radiant one, was I not already purified by you before, whose austerity possesses such power?
Śaṅkha said:
Therefore, this is not my duty; I am not your punisher. The king is purified, and you too, along with your ancestors.
Vyāsa said:
He, the king, foremost among the Pāṇḍavas, by that very action attained the highest perfection, just as Dakṣa, the son of Pracetas, did.
The duty of kṣatriyas is to protect their subjects. O great king, do not let your mind be overcome by grief in this adversity.
O best knower of dharma, listen to the beneficial words of his brother. O king, for a kṣatriya, the duty is to punish, not to shave the head.
