13.069
The story of Nṛga.
Bhishma said.
Here, O best of the Kurus, the virtuous recount the very great difficulty experienced by Nṛga in the matter of harming a brāhmaṇa. (13-69-1)
It is heard that, in former times when settling in Dvāravatī, O Pārtha, a great well covered with grasses and shrubs was seen. (13-69-2)
Those desiring water, making effort there, therefore, by great effort, being engaged, in that well-covered well, (seek water). (13-69-3)
They saw the great-bodied skeleton lying there, and thousands of them made efforts to lift him. (13-69-4)
They bound him, who was like a mountain, with bonds and leather straps, but being unable to lift him, they then went to Janārdana. (13-69-5)
A great skeleton was placed covering the mouth of the well. They then reported to Kṛṣṇa that there was no one who could remove it. (13-69-6)
He, having been lifted up by Vāsudeva and questioned about his desires, the king spoke. Then Nṛga revealed himself as that ancient performer of a thousand sacrifices. (13-69-7)
Thus, as he was speaking, Mādhava said to him: 'You have performed auspicious actions, not evil ones. How have you come to such a bad state, O king? Tell me, what is this situation?' (13-69-8)
Hundreds of thousands and again hundreds of cows, and again hundreds and eight ten thousands, were given by you formerly, so we have heard here, O king, to the brahmins; where indeed has that gone of yours? (13-69-9)
King Nṛga then said to Kṛṣṇa, "A single cow belonging to a brāhmaṇa who was away performing agnihotra strayed into my herd of cows." (13-69-10)
Then that herd of a thousand cows belonging to me, counted along with the animals, was given by me to a Brāhmaṇa, eagerly desiring benefit for life after death. (13-69-11)
The Brahmin saw and searched for her in another's house—he said, "this is mine"; and she became the wife of the Brahmin to whom she belonged. (13-69-12)
Both of them, greatly feverish, met and quarreled, and then said to me: "You are the giver, you are the taker." (13-69-13)
Desiring to give a hundred cows or even more by way of exchange, I asked the recipient; but he said this to me. (13-69-14)
A milch cow, endowed with proper place and time, greatly enduring and deeply fond of her calf, always giving sweet milk, blessed, is always in my house. (13-69-15)
He said, "The thin cow, my son, which has lost her calf and is meant for Bharata, I am not able to abandon her," and so saying, he departed. (13-69-16)
Then, I requested that other Brāhmaṇa with an exchange—let one hundred thousand cows be accepted for that thus. (13-69-17)
The brāhmaṇa said.
I do not accept anything from kings, nor am I able to search on my own; therefore, let that cow be quickly given to me, O Madhusudana. (13-69-18)
He, the foremost Brāhmaṇa, did not accept the gold horses and silver chariots offered to him, but departed at that time. (13-69-19)
At that very moment, urged by the ordinance of Time, I reached the realm of the ancestors and approached King Dharma. (13-69-20)
But Yama, after worshipping me, then said these words: "There is no limit, O king, to the merit of your deeds." (13-69-21)
Indeed, there is an evil act done by you out of ignorance; therefore, perform the evil act later or earlier, as you wish. (13-69-22)
You said, "I am protected"; your vow is not false. But taking the property of a brāhmaṇa and the threefold (transgression) is your offense. (13-69-23)
Saying to Dharmarāja, "O lord, first I will undertake hardship, then (do) good," thus I have fallen on the earth. (13-69-24)
I heard, when I, having fallen, was being addressed loudly by Yama; Vasudeva, Janardana, will be your savior. (13-69-25)
At the end of a thousand years, when the evil deed is exhausted, you will attain the eternal worlds gained by your own action. (13-69-26)
I saw myself fallen head-down in a well and indeed entering an animal womb, but memory did not abandon me. (13-69-27)
But today, O Kṛṣṇa, by your grace I have crossed (the world); what else could (be accomplished) by the power of austerity? Please permit me, may I go to heaven today indeed. (13-69-28)
Permitted by Kṛṣṇa, he saluted Janārdana and, ascending the divine chariot, the conqueror of foes went to heaven. (13-69-29)
Then, O best of the Bharatas, when that day had come for Nṛga, Vāsudeva uttered this verse, O delight of the Kurus. (13-69-30)
A man who knows should not take a brāhmaṇa's wealth; taking a brāhmaṇa's wealth destroys a person, just as a brāhmaṇa's cow would. (13-69-31)
O Pārtha, association with the good is never fruitless. See how Nṛga was liberated from hell by association with the righteous. (13-69-32)
Giving in that case yields fruit; harm likewise brings corresponding results. Therefore, O Yudhiṣṭhira, avoid any offence toward cows. (13-69-33)
