SECTION CLXLIV

“Markandeya continued, ’Listen now to another story.  One day as king Yayati, the son of Nahusha, was sitting on his throne, surrounded by the citizens, there came unto him a Brahmana desirous of soliciting wealth for his preceptor, and approaching the king, the Brahmana said, “O king, I beg of thee wealth for my preceptor according to my covenant.”  And the king said, “O Holy One, tell me what thy covenant is.”  And thereupon the Brahmana said, “O king, in this world when men are asked for alms, they entertain contempt for him that asketh it.  I therefore, ask thee, O king, with what feelings thou wilt give me what I ask and upon which I have set my heart.”  And the king replied saying, “Having given away a thing, I never boast of it.  I never also listen to solicitations for things that cannot be given.  I listen, however, to prayers for things that can be given and giving them away I always become happy.  I will give thee a thousand kine.  The Brahmana that asks me for a gift is always dear to me.  I am never angry with the person that begs of me and I am never sorry for having given away a thing!” And the Brahmana then obtained from the king a thousand kine and went away.’”

SECTION CLXLV

Vaisampayana said, “The son of Pandu again addressed the Rishi and said, ‘Speak thou 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 thee this for thy preceptor.  Therefore, go thou unto king Vrishadarbha, for, O Brahmana, he is a highly virtuous king.  Go and beg of him.  He will grant thy 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 thou curse him that doth not give thee what thou askest?  Or, is this behaviour proper for a Brahmana?” And the Brahmana said, “O king of kings, sent unto thee by Seduka, I come before thee for this.”  The king said, “I will give thee 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.’”