12.133
Bhīṣma said.
Here too, they narrate this ancient story: Just as a robber who has proper conduct does not perish after death.
He is a striker, intelligent, brave, learned, compassionate, protector of the imperishable dharma, devoted to Brahman, and worshipper of the guru.
Kāpayva, born to a Kṣatriya and a Niṣādī woman, who upheld the duties of a Kṣatriya, was known as a Naiṣādi. Because of his life as a robber, he attained success.
In the forest, in the early afternoon, agitated by herds of deer, there was an expert who knew the rules regarding the species of deer and their watering places.
He knows all the forest regions, always wanders in the Pāriyātra mountains; he is knowledgeable in dharma, knows all beings, has unfailing arrows, and is firmly armed.
He alone conquered even hundreds of armies. In the great forest, he honored his aged and blind parents.
He honored them and fed them properly with honey, meats, roots, fruits, and various kinds of foods, and also served them well.
He protected the forest-dwelling ascetic Brāhmaṇas, and also brought them deer, having killed (the deer) for them, in the great forest.
Those who, out of suspicion that the food is from robbers, do not accept it—if such food is kept in their houses, it departs by morning.
Many thousands chose him as the village head among the robbers, who were without boundaries and acted without compassion.
The robbers said.
Be the chief leader for us, one who knows the right moment, place, and time, wise, steadfast in conduct and arms, and accepted by all.
Whatever you instruct us, we shall act accordingly. Please protect us justly, as a mother or a father would.
Kāpavya said.
Do not kill a woman, a fearful person, a child, or an ascetic. One who is not fighting should not be killed, and women should not be seized by force.
Under all circumstances, a woman must never be killed; even in battle among all beings, one must always fight for the welfare of cows and Brāhmaṇas, and fight only for that purpose.
Do not destroy crops or cause obstruction to ploughing. In places where gods, ancestors, and guests are worshipped likewise.
A brāhmaṇa, even among all beings, truly deserves liberation. Reverence should be shown to them, even if it requires all of one's possessions.
If these people, being thoroughly enraged, plot ruin for someone, then in all the three worlds, there is no one who can protect him.
Whoever insults Brāhmaṇas or even wishes for their destruction, his downfall is as certain and inevitable as the sunrise.
He waits here itself for the result, expecting as per his ability. Whoever does not give to us, the army will march against them.
Punishment is instituted for the protection of the virtuous, not for the purpose of killing; but those who harm the virtuous, for them, killing is considered righteous.
Those who make their living by harming the kingdom are regarded just like worms in a corpse.
Even if robbers here were to conduct themselves according to the dharmaśāstra, they too, having become robbers, would quickly attain success.
Bhīṣma said.
They all followed the instruction of Kāpavya; everyone obtained their livelihood and also refrained from sinful acts.
Kāpavya achieved great accomplishment by his actions; he ensured the welfare of the virtuous by turning away evil robbers.
Whoever always recites this account of Kāpavya will never experience fear from the forests or from any beings at any time.
O king, the lord of cows has no fear from mortals or immortals, nor from the existent or the non-existent, in any way, even in the forests.
