SECTION CLXLV
Vaisampayana said, "The son of Pandu again addressed the Rishi and said,
'Speak you unto us of the high fortune of royal Kshatriyas!' And
Markandeya said, 'There were two kings of the name of Vrishadarbha and
Seduka and both of them were conversant with morals and with weapons of
attack and defence. And Seduka knew that Vrishadarbha had from his
boyhood an unuttered vow that he would give no other metal unto Brahmanas
save gold and silver. And once on a time a Brahmana having completed his
study of the Vedas came unto Seduka and uttering a benediction upon him
begged of him wealth for his preceptor, saying, 'Give me a thousand
steeds.' And thus addressed, Seduka said unto him, 'It is not possible
for me to give you this for your preceptor. Therefore, go you unto king
Vrishadarbha, for, O Brahmana, he is a highly virtuous king. Go and beg
of him. He will grant your request. Even this is his unuttered vow.'
Hearing these words that Brahmana went to Vrishadarbha and begged of him
a thousand steeds, and the king thus solicited, struck the Brahmana with
a whip and thereupon the Brahmana said, 'Innocent as I am, why dost thou
attack me thus?' And the Brahmana was on the point of cursing the king,
when the latter said, 'O Brahmana, dost you curse him that doth not give
thee what you askest? Or, is this behaviour proper for a Brahmana?' And
the Brahmana said, 'O king of kings, sent unto you by Seduka, I come
before you for this.' The king said, 'I will give you now whatever
tribute may come to me before the morning expire. How indeed, can I send
away the man empty-handed who hath been whipped by me.' And having said
this the king gave unto that Brahmana the entire proceeds of that day and
that was more than the value of a thousand horses.'"
--------------------END OF PARVA 3 : UPA-PARVA 195 ---------------------
