13.009
The dialogue between the jackal and the monkey.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O grandsire, who are those in the world, among the Brāhmaṇas, who, having promised, do not give out of delusion, O great-minded one? (13-9-1)
O best among the upholders of dharma, tell me this truly: What is the duty? Those men who are evil-minded do not give after promising. (13-9-2)
Bhishma said.
If a person does not give what he has promised, whether little or much, all his hopes are destroyed, just like the offspring of a powerless man. (13-9-3)
The night in which sin is born and the night in which it is destroyed—in this interval, O Bhārata, whatever good deed or offering he has made, all of it is nullified. (13-9-4)
Here, O best of the Bharatas, the people who know the dharmaśāstra, having heard this statement, spoke with intellect and supreme reasoning. (13-9-5)
Moreover, the people who know the dharmaśāstra also cite this: by a thousand black-eared horses, he is released. (13-9-6)
Right here, O Bhārata, they recount this ancient story: the conversation between the jackal and the monkey. (13-9-7)
Those two friends were formerly humans, O scorcher of foes; they were later born in other wombs, one as a female jackal and the other as a female monkey. (13-9-8)
Then, in the midst of the cremation ground, the monkey, recalling his previous existence, saw the jackal eating another's flesh and spoke to him. (13-9-9)
What very terrible sinful action did you do previously, that you, who eat the putrid, despicable dead in the cremation ground? (13-9-10)
Thus addressed, the jackal then replied to the monkey: 'Having promised the brāhmaṇa, I did not do that favor.' (13-9-11)
O monkey, because of that, I have attained a sinful birth; therefore, being hungry, I eat such food. (13-9-12)
O king, thus I heard this meritorious ancient story of the knower of dharma as narrated by the brāhmaṇa. (13-9-13)
O Pāṇḍava, I have also heard again the story that Kṛṣṇa spoke earlier to the Brāhmaṇa, O lord of men. (13-9-14)
In this way, Brāhmaṇas always instruct me: "Having promised, one should give; Brāhmaṇas should not create expectation." (13-9-15)
O lord of the earth, a Brāhmaṇa who is well-kindled by intention and previous action is regarded as being like blazing fire. (13-9-16)
O king, when a very angry person looks at someone with an intention carried from a previous birth, he might indeed burn him up, just as fire consumes inexhaustible fuel. (13-9-17)
O Bhārata, when he is pleased and greets with words, he becomes like a remedy in that person's matter. (13-9-18)
Peace, like a desired sacrifice, indeed nourishes sons, grandsons, cattle, relatives, ministers, as well as the city and the country. (13-9-19)
This, indeed, is the supreme splendor of the brāhmaṇa seen here, like that of the thousand-rayed Savitṛ (the Sun) on the surface of the earth. (13-9-20)
Therefore, O Yudhishthira, having promised, one should certainly give here, if one wishes to attain an excellent birth, O best of the Bharatas. (13-9-21)
Indeed, by giving to a Brāhmaṇa, heaven—certain and unsurpassed—can be attained; especially, giving is indeed a great act. (13-9-22)
It is by offerings such as these that the gods and likewise the ancestors are sustained; therefore, one who understands should give gifts to the Brāhmaṇas. (13-9-23)
O best of the Bharatas, a Brāhmaṇa is truly regarded as a sacred place; however, at the time of worship, a Brāhmaṇa should not go to anyone unhonored. (13-9-24)
