“The god of justice, thus questioned, replied, ’O thou of ascetic wealth, a little insect was once pierced by thee on a blade of grass.  Thou bearest now the consequence of the act.  O Rishi, as a gift, however small, multiplieth in respect of its religious merits, so a sinful act multiplieth in respect of the woe it bringeth in its train.’  On hearing this, Ani-Mandavya asked, ’O tell me truly when this act was committed by me.  Told in reply by the god of justice that he had committed it, when a child, the Rishi said, ’That shall not be a sin which may be done by a child up to the twelfth year of his age from birth.  The scriptures shall not recognise it as sinful.  The punishment thou hast inflicted on me for such a venial offence hath been disproportionate in severity.  The killing of a Brahmana involves a sin that is heavier than the killing of any other living being.  Thou shall, therefore, O god of justice, have to be born among men even in the Sudra order.  And from this day I establish this limit in respect of the consequence of acts that an act shall not be sinful when committed by one below the age of fourteen.  But when committed by one above that age, it shall be regarded as sin.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Cursed for this fault by that illustrious Rishi, the god of justice had his birth as Vidura in the Sudra order.  And Vidura was well-versed in the doctrines of morality and also politics and worldly profit.  And he was entirely free from covetousness and wrath.  Possessed of great foresight and undisturbed tranquillity of mind, Vidura was ever devoted to the welfare of the Kurus.’”

SECTION CIX

(Sambhava Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana said, ’Upon the birth of those three children, Kurujangala, Kurukshetra, and the Kurus grew in prosperity.  The earth began to yield abundant harvest, and the crops also were of good flavour.  And the clouds began to pour rain in season and trees became full of fruits and flowers.  And the draught cattle were all happy and the birds and other animals rejoiced exceedingly.  And the flowers became fragrant and the fruits became sweet; the cities and towns became filled with merchants, artisans, traders and artists of every description.  And the people became brave, learned, honest and happy.  And there were no robbers then, nor anybody who was sinful.  And it seemed that the golden age had come upon every part of the kingdom.  And the people devoted to virtuous acts, sacrifices and truth, and regarding one another with love and affection grew in prosperity.  And free from pride, wrath and covetousness, they rejoiced in perfectly innocent sports.  And the capital of the Kurus, full as the ocean, was a second Amaravati, teeming with hundreds of palaces and mansions, and possessing gates and arches dark as the clouds.  And men in great cheerfulness sported constantly on rivers, lakes and tanks, and in fine groves and charming woods.  And the southern