On the way we beheld a Brahmana of rigid
vows, and exceedingly handsome, studying the Vedas in solitude. The whole
forest (in which he was sitting) seemed to be covered with his ascetic
splendour. He seemed to have illuminated the whole region like the Sun
himself. Beholding his ascetic devotion of that nature and his wonderful
beauty, we alighted in that region, in order to disturb his meditations.
Myself and Saurabheyi and Samichi and Vudvuda and Lata, that Brahmana, O
Bharata, at the same time. We began to sing and smile and otherwise tempt
that Brahmana. But, O hero, that Brahmana (youth) set not his heart even
once upon us. His mind fixed on pure meditation, that youth of great
energy suffered not his heart to waver, O bull among Kshatriyas, the
glance he cast upon us was one of wrath. And he said, staring at us,
'Becoming crocodiles, range ye the waters for a hundred years.'"
SECTION CCXIX
(Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Varga continued, 'We were then, O foremost one of
Bharata's race, deeply distressed at this curse. We sought to propitiate
that Brahmana of ascetic wealth that departed not from his vow. Addressing
him, we said, 'Inflated with a sense of our beauty and youth, and urged by
the god of desire, we have acted very improperly. It behoveth thee, O
Brahmana, to pardon us! Truly, O Brahmana, it was death to us that we had
at all come hither to tempt thee of rigid vows and ascetic wealth. The
virtuous, however, have said that women should never be slain.
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