No
sin can attach to me when another will take my life. But if I deliberately
consent to the death of a Brahmana, it would be a cruel and sinful act,
from the consequence of which there is no escape. The learned have said
that the abandonment of one who hath come to thy house or sought thy
protection, as also the killing of one who seeketh death at thy hands, is
both cruel and sinful. The illustrious among those conversant with
practices allowable in seasons of distress, have before now said that one
should never perform an act that is cruel and censurable. It is well for
me that I should today perish myself with my wife, but I would never
sanction the death of a Brahmana.'
"Kunti said, 'I too am firmly of opinion, O Brahmana, that Brahmanas
should ever be protected. As regards myself, no son of mine would be less
dear to me even if I had a hundred instead of the five I have. But this
Rakshasa will not be able to kill my son, for that son of mine is endued
with great prowess and energy, and skilled in mantras. He will faithfully
deliver to the Rakshasa his food, but will, I know to a certainty, rescue
himself. I have seen before many mighty Rakshasas of huge bodies engaged
in combat with my heroic son and killed too by him. But, O Brahmana, do
not disclose this fact to anybody, for if it be known, persons desirous of
obtaining this power, will, from curiosity, always trouble my sons. The
wise have said that if my son imparteth any knowledge, without the assent
of his preceptor, unto any person, my son himself will no longer be able
to profit by that knowledge.
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