Apaddharmanushasana Parva — The same subject

Bhishma said There, under that banian tree for the protection of his guest, the prince of birds had lighted and kept up a fire with high and burning flames.

On one side of the fire, the bird slept confidently. The ungrateful and wicked wretch prepared to kill his sleeping host.

With the help of that blazing fire he killed the trustful bird, and having killed him, became filled with joy, never thinking there was sin in what he did.

Clearing off the feathers and the down, he roasted the flesh on that fire. Then taking it up with the gold he had brought, the Brahmana fled quickly from that place.

The next day, the Rakshasa king, Virupaksha, said to his son, Alas, O son, I do not sce Rajdharman, that best of birds, to-day.

Every morning he goes to the regions of Brahman for worshipping the Grandfather. While returning, he never goes home without seeing me.

These two inornings and two nights have passed away, and he has not come to my house. My mind, therefore, is not in peace. You enquire after my friend.

Gautama, who came here, is shorn of Vedic learning and Brahmanic effulgence. He has scen the abode of my friend, I greatly fear that wretch of Brahmanas has killed Rajdharman.

Addicted to evil practices and of wicked understanding, I read him through by the signs he showed. Without mercy, of cruel and grim visage, and of wicked disposition, that vilest of men is like a robber. That Gautama has gone to the house of my friend. For this reason my heart is extremely anxious.

O son, going hence with great speed to the house of Rajdharman, learn whether that puresouled bird is still alive! Do not delay.

Thus addressed by his father, the prince, accompanied by other Rakshasas, went away quickly. Going to the foot of that banian, he saw the remains of Rajdharman.

Weeping with sorrow the son of the intelligent king of the Rakshasas, ran quickly to the best of his power, for seizing Gautama.

The Rakshasas had not to go far when they caught the Brahmana and found the body of Rajdharman shorn of wings, bones, and feet.

Taking the captive with them, the Rakshasas returned quickly to Meruvraja, and showed the king the mutilated body of Rajdharman, and that ungrateful and sinful wretch, Gautama.

Seeing the remains of his friend, the king, with his counsellors and priest, began to weep aloud. Loud-lamentations were heard in his house.

The entire city of the Rakshasa king,-men, women, and children,-was plunged in grief. The king then ordered his son, saying,-Let this sinful wretch be killed! Let these Rakshasas here eai merrily his flesh.

Of sinful decds, of sinful habits, of sinful soul, and used to sin, this wretch, I think, should be killed by you!—Thus addressed by the Rakshasa king, many Rakshasas of dreadful prowess cxpressed their reluctance to eat the flesh of that sinner.

Indeed, those night-rangers addressing their king, said,-Let this vilest of men be handed over to the robbers.

Lowering their heads to their king, they told him so, adding, you should not give us this sinful wretch for our food.

The king said to them,-Let it be so! Let this ungrateful person be forthwith delivered to the robbers.

Thus ordered by him, the Rakshasas, armed with lances and battle-axes, hacked that sinful wretch into pieces and gave them away to the robbers.

It so came about that even the very robbers refused to eat the flesh of that vile man. Though cannibals, O king, they would not eat an ungrateful person.

There is expiation, o king, for one who slays a Brahmana, for one who drinks winc, for one who steals, for one that has not fulfilled a vow. But there is no expiation for an ungrateful person.

That cruel and mean man who does injury to a friend and turns ungrateful, is not eaten even by the very cannibals nor by the worms that feed on carrion.