come forth to instruct and set me right!  Thus addressed, the Brahmana replied unto the king, saying, ‘So let it be!’ Even thus were those boons acquired by that king of blazing effulgence.  Riding then on his car whose splendour resembled that of fire or the Sun, the monarch, blinded by his great prowess, said, ’Who, indeed, is there that can be regarded as my equal in patience and energy, in fame and heroism, in prowess and strength?’ After he had uttered these words, an invisible voice in the welkin said, ’O ignorant wretch, dost thou not know that the Brahmana is superior to the Kshatriya?  The Kshatriya, assisted by the Brahmana rules all creatures!’

“Arjuna said, ’When gratified, I am able to create many creatures.  When angry, I am able to destroy all.  In thought, word, and deed, I am the foremost.  The Brahmana is certainly not above me!’ The first proposition here is that the Brahmana is superior to the Kshatriya.  The counter-proposition is that the Kshatriya is superior.  Thou hast said, O invisible being that the two are united together (in the act upon which the Kshatriya’s superiority is sought to be based).  A distinction, however, is observable in this.  It is seen that Brahmanas take refuge with Kshatriyas.  The Kshatriyas never seek the refuge of Brahmanas. indeed, throughout the earth, the Brahmanas, accepting such refuge under the pretence of teaching the Vedas, draw their sustenance from the Kshatriyas.  The duty of protecting all creatures is vested in Kshatriyas.  It is from the Kshatriyas that the Brahmanas derive their sustenance.  How then can the Brahmana be superior to the Kshatriyas?  Well, I shall from today, bring under my subjection, your Brahmanas who are superior to all creatures but who have mendicancy for their occupation and who are so self-conceited!  What the virgin Gayatri has said from the welkin is not true.  Robed in skins, the Brahmanas move about in independence.  I shall bring those independent wights under my subjection.  Deity or man, there is none in the three worlds who can hurl me from the sovereignty I enjoy.  Hence, I am certainly superior to the Brahmanas.  This world that is now regarded as having Brahmanas for its foremost denizens shall soon be made such as to have Kshatriyas for its foremost denizens.  There is none that is capable of bearing my might in battle!  Hearing these words of Arjuna, the welkin-ranging goddess became agitated.  Then the god of wind, addressing the king from the sky, said, ’Cast off this sinful attitude.  Bow unto the Brahmanas.  By injuring them thou wilt bring about troubles on thy kingdom.  The Brahmanas will either slay thee, king though thou art, or, endued with great might that they are, they will drive thee away from thy kingdom, despoiling thee of thy energy!’ The king, hearing this speech, addressed the speaker, saying, Who, indeed, art thou?’ The god of wind answered, ’I am the god of wind and the messenger of the deities!  I say unto thee what is for thy benefit.’