आपद्धर्मानुशासन पर्व — (समापन) वही विषय

Bhishma Said The Rakshasa king then caused a funeral pyre to be made for that king of cranes and decked it with jewels, gems, perfumes, and, costly dresses.

Setting fire to it with the body of that prince of birds, the powerful king of the Rakshasas caused the obsequial rites of his friend to be performed according to the ordinance.

At that time, the auspicious goddess Surabhi, the daughter of Daksha, appeared in the sky above the place where the pyre had been made. Her breasts were full of milk.

From her mouth, O sinless king, froth mixed with milk dropped upon the funeral pyre of Rajdharman.

There at the prince of cranes became revived. Rising up, came to his friend Virupaksha, the king of Rakshasas.

At this time, the king of the gods himself came to the city of Virupaksha. Addressing the Rakshasa king, Indra said, —By good luck, you have revived the prince of cranes.

The king of the gods further recited to Virupaksha the old story of the course imprecated by the Grandfather upon that best of birds named Rajdharman.

Addressing the king he said, Once on a time, O monarch, this prince of cranes did not come to the region of Brahman when he was required. In anger the Grandfather said to this prince of birds,Since this vile crane has not come to-day in my assembly, therefore, that wicked one shall not soon die.

Over the In consequence of these words of the Grandfather, the prince of cranes, though killed by Gautama, has been restored to life, by the nectar with which his body was drenched.

After Indra had become silent, Rajadharman, having bowed unto the king of the gods, said, O king of gods, if you wish to show me favour, then let my dear friend Gautama be restored to life.

Hearing these words of his, Vasava, O king, sprinkled ambrosia Brahmana Gautama and restored him to life.

Coming to his friend Gautama who still bore on his shoulders the load of gold, the king of cranes embraced him and felt great joy.

Dismissing Gautama of sinful deeds, with his wealth, then Rajadharman, that prince of cranes, returned to his own abode.

At the due hour he went (the next day) to the Grandfather's region. The latter honoured the great bird with such attentions as are shown to a guest.

Gautama also, coming back to his home in the village of the hunters, begot many sinful children upon his Shudra wife.

A great curse was imprecated upon him by the gods that having begouen, within a few years, upon the body of his remarried wife many children, that ungrateful sinner should sink into a dreadful hell for many years.

All this, O Bharata, was described to me formerly by Narada. Remembering the incidents of his important story, O best of Bharata's race, I have recited it to you fully.

Whence can an ungrateful person acquire fame? Where is his place? Whence can he enjoy happiness? An ungrateful person should not be trusted. An ungrateful person can never escape.

No person should injure a friend. He who injures a friend sinks into dreadful and everlasting hell.

Every one should be grateful, and every one should try to do good to his friends. Everything may be got from a friend. Honours may be got from friend.

For friends one may enjoy various objects of life. By the exertions of friends, one may escape from various sorts of danger and distress. He who is wise would honour his friends to the best of his power.

An ungrateful, shameless and sinful wretch should be shunned by the wise. One who injures his friends is a despicable character. Such a sinful person is the vilest of men.

I have thus told you, O foremost of all virtuous men the characteristics of a sinful wretch who is stained by ingratitude and who injures his friend. What else do you wish to hear.

Hearing these words spoken by the great Bhishma, Yudhishthira, O Janamejaya, was highly pleased.