“Rajadharman said, ’Welcome, O Brahmana!  By good luck have I got thee today in my abode.  The sun is set.  The evening twilight is come.  Having come to my abode, thou art today my dear and excellent guest.  Having received my worship according to the rites laid down in the scriptures, thou mayst go whither thou wilt tomorrow morning.’”

SECTION CLXX

“Bhishma said, ’Hearing these sweet words, Gautama became filled with wonder.  Feeling at the same time a great curiosity, he eyed Rajadharman without being able to withdraw his gaze from him.’

“Rajadharman said, ’O Brahmana, I am the son of Kasyapa by one of the daughters of (the sage) Daksha.  Possessed of great merits, thou art my guest today.  Thou art welcome, O foremost of Brahmanas!’

“Bhishma continued, ’Having offered him hospitality according to the rites laid down in the scriptures, the crane made an excellent bed of the Sala flowers that lay all around.  He also offered him several large fishes caught from the deep waters of the Bhagirathi.  Indeed, the son of Kasyapa offered, for the acceptance of his guest Gautama a blazing fire and certain large fishes.  After the Brahmana had eaten and became gratified, the bird possessing wealth of penances began to fan him with his wings for driving off his fatigue.  Seeing his guest seated at his case, he asked him about his pedigree.  The man answered, saying, ’I am a Brahmana known by the name of Gautama,’ and then remained silent.  The bird gave his guest a soft bed made of leaves and perfumed with many fragrant flowers.  Gautama laid himself down on it, and felt great happiness.  When Gautama had laid himself down, the eloquent son of Kasyapa, who resembled Yama himself in his knowledge of duties, asked him a bout the cause of his arrival there.  Gautama answered him, saying, ’I am, O large-souled one, very poor.  For earning wealth[494] I am desirous of going to the sea.’  The son of Kasyapa cheerfully told him:  ’It behoveth thee not to feel any anxiety.  Thou shalt succeed, O foremost of Brahmanas, and shalt return home with properly.  The sage Vrihaspati hath spoken of four kinds of means for the acquisition of wealth, viz., inheritance, sudden accession due to luck or the favour of the gods, acquisition by labour, and acquisition through the aid or kindness of friends.  I have become thy friend.  I cherish good feelings towards thee.  I shall, therefore, exert myself in such a way that thou mayst succeed in acquiring wealth.  The night passed away and morning came.  Seeing his guest rise cheerfully from bed, the bird addressed him, saying, ’Go, O amiable one, along this very route and thou art sure to succeed.  At the distance of about three Yojanas from this place, there is a mighty king of the Rakshasas.  Possessed of great strength, his name is Virupaksha, and he is a friend of mine.  Go to him, O foremost of Brahmanas!  That chief,