Mokshadharma Parva — The story of the Naga king Padma

The Naga said O you of sweet smiles, for whom have you taken that Brahmana? Is he really a human being or is he some god that has come here in the disguise of a Brahmana?

O you of great fame, who is there ainong men who would be desirous of seeing are or that would be competent for the purpose? Can a human being, desiring to see me, leave such a command with you about sending me to him for paying him a visit at the place where he is living?

Amongst the gods and Asuras and celestial Rishis, O amiable lady, the Nagas are endued with great energy. Having great speed, they are endued again with excellent fragrance.

They derseve to be adored. They are capable of granting boons. Indeed, we too deserve to be followed by others. I tell you, O lady, that we cannot be seen by human beings.

Judging by his simplicity and candour I know that that Brahmana is not any god who lives on air. O you of great anger, I also know this, viz., that he respects you with all his heart.

He seeks the accomplishment of some object that depends upon your help. As the bird called Chataka, which if fond of rain, waits in earnest expectation of a shower, so is that Brahmana waiting is expectation of a meeting with you.

Let no calamity befall him on account of his inability to obtain a sight of you. No person born like you in a respectable family can be considered to remain respectable by neglecting a guest arrived at his house.

Renouncing that anger which is natural to you, you should go and see that Brahmana. You should not allows yourself to be consumed by disappointing that Brahmana.

The king or the prince, by refusing to wipe the tears of persons who come to him from hopes of relief, commits the sin of foeticide. By abstaining from speech one acquire wisdom.

By practising gifts one acquires great fame. By observing truthfulness of speech, one acquire the fit of eloquence and comes to be respected in heaven.

By giving away land one acquires that high end which is ordained for Rishis leading the sacred mode of life. By acquiring riches through fair means one succeeds in acquiring many desirable fruits.

By doing in full what is good for oneself, one can avoid going to hell. This is what the righteous say.

The Naga said I had no arrogance. On account, however, of my birth, my pride was considerable. Of anger which is born of desire, O blessed lady, I have none. It has all been consumed by the fire of your excellent instructions.

I do not see, O blessed lady, any darkness that is thicker than anger. On account, however of the Nagas having excess of anger, they have become objects of reproach with all persons.

By yielding to the influence of anger, the ten-headed Ravan of great prowess, became the rival Shakra and was for that reason killed by Rama in battle.

Hearing that the Rishi Rama of Bhrigu's race had entered the inner apartments of their palace for bringing away the calf of the Homa cow of his father, the sons of Karttavirya, yielding to anger, took such entry as an insult to their royal house, and as the result thereof, they met with destruction at the hands of Rama.

Indeed, Karttavirya of great strength, resembling the thousand-eyed Indra himself, on account of his having yielded to anger, was killed in battle by Rama of Jamadagni's race.

Verily, O amiable lady, at your words I have controlled my anger, that enemy of penances, that destroyer of all that is beneficial for himself.

I praise my own self greatly since, O largeeyed one, I am fortunate enough to have you as my wife,-you who are possessed of every virtue and who have inexhaustible merits.

I shall now proceed to that spot where the Brahmana is living. I shall certainly address that Brahmana in proper words, and he shall certainly go hence, his wishes being done.