girl, women, specially they that are of mean extraction, although they may with difficulty be kept under restraint, become in consequence of their unripe age, generally deformed in character.  But thou, O Pritha, art born in a royal race, and thy beauty also is extraordinary.  And then, O girl, thou art endued with every accomplishment.  Do thou, therefore, O damsel, renouncing pride and haughtiness and a sense of self-importance, wait upon and worship the boon-giving Brahmana, and thereby attain, O Pritha, to an auspicious state!  By acting thus, O auspicious and sinless girl, thou wilt surely attain to auspiciousness!  But if on the contrary, thou stirest up the anger of this best of the twice-born ones, my entire race will be consumed by him!’”

SECTION CCCII

“Kunti said, ’According to thy promise, I will, O king, with concentrated mind, serve that Brahmana.  O foremost of kings, I do not say this falsely.  It is my nature to worship Brahmanas.  And, as in the present case, my doing so would be agreeable to thee, even this would be highly conducive to my welfare.  Whether that worshipful one cometh in the evening, or in morning, or at night or even at midnight, he will have no reason to be angry with me!  O foremost of kings, to do good by serving the twice-born ones, observing all thy commands, is what I consider to be highly profitable to me, O best of men!  Do thou, therefore, O foremost of monarchs rely on me!  That best of Brahmanas, while residing in thy house, shall never have cause for dissatisfaction.  I tell thee truly.  I shall, O king, be always attentive to that which is agreeable to this Brahmana, and what is fraught also with good to thee.  O sinless one!  I know full well that Brahmanas that are eminently virtuous, when propitiated bestow salvation, and when displeased, are capable of bringing about destruction upon the offender.  Therefore, I shall please this foremost of Brahmanas.  Thou wilt not, O monarch, come to any grief from that best of regenerate persons, owing to any act of mine.  In consequence of the transgressions of monarchs, Brahmanas, O foremost of kings, became the cause of evil to them, as Chyavana had become, in consequence of the act of Sukanya.  I will, therefore, O king, with great regularity, wait upon that best of Brahmanas according to thy instructions in that respect!’ And when she had thus spoken at length, the king embraced and cheered her, and instructed her in detail as to what should be done by her.  And the king said, ’Thou shall, O gentle maid, act even thus, without fear, for my good as also thy own, and for the good of thy race also, O thou of faultless limbs!’ And having said this the illustrious Kuntibhoja, who was devoted to the Brahmanas, made over the girl Pritha to that Brahmana, saying, ’This my daughter, O Brahmana, is of tender age and brought up in luxury.  If, therefore, she transgresses at any time, do thou not take that to heart!  Illustrious Brahmanas