“Kasyapa said, ’This man has not, like us, four brothers of the whole blood who are begging from house to house, uttering the words, ‘Give—­Give!’ Hence it is that I see him and his dog so well-developed.’

“Bharadwaja said, ’This man hath no regret like ours for having condemned and cursed his spouse.  He hath not acted so wickedly and senselessly.  Hence I see both him and his dog so well-developed!’

“Gautama said, ’This man bath not like us only three pieces of covering made of Kusa grass, and a single Ranku-skin, each of which again, is three years old.  Hence it is that I see both him and his dog so well-developed!’

“Bhishma continued, ’The wandering mendicant, beholding those great Rishis, approach them, and accosted them all by touching their hand according to the custom.  Conversing then with each other about the difficulty of obtaining sustenance in that forest and the consequent necessity of bearing the pangs of hunger, all of them left that spot.  Indeed, they wandered through that wilderness, all bent upon a common purpose, viz., the plucking of fruits and the extraction of roots for sustenance.  One day, as they were wandering they beheld a beautiful lake overgrown with lotuses.  Its banks were covered with trees that stood thickly near one another.  The waters of the lake were pure and transparent.  Indeed, the lotuses that adorned the lake were all of the hue of the morning sun.  The leaves that floated on the water were of the colour of lapis lazuli.  Diverse kinds of aquatic fowls were sporting on its bosom.  There was but one path leading to it.  The banks were not miry and the access to the water was easy.  Urged by Vrishadarbhi, the Rakshasi of frightful mien who had sprung from his incantations and who had been named Yatudhani, guarded the lake.  Those foremost of Rishis, with Pasusakha in their company, proceeded towards the lake, which was thus guarded by Yatudhani for the object of gathering some lotus stalks.[421] Beholding Yatudhani, of frightful aspect standing on the banks of the lake, those great Rishis addressed her, saying, ’Who art thou that thus standest alone in these solitary woods?  For whom dost thou wait here?  What, indeed, is thy purpose?  What dost thou do here on the banks of this lake adorned with lotuses?’”

“Yatudhani said, ’It matters not who I am.  I deserve not to be questioned (respecting my name and race and purposes).  Ye that are possessed of ascetic wealth, know that I am the guard set to watch this lake.’”

’The Rishis said, ’All of us are hungry.  We have nothing else to eat.  With thy permission we would gather some lotus-stalks!’”

“Yatudhani said, ’Agreeably with a compact, do ye take the lotus-stalks as ye please.  Ye must, one by one, give me your names.  Ye may then, without delay, take the stalks!’”

“Bhishma continued, ’Ascertaining that her name was, Yatudhani and that she stood there for slaying them (after knowing, from the meanings their names, what the extent was of their power), Atri, who was famishing with hunger, addressed her, and said these words.’”