The Dunduva said: -
1. In time gone by, I had a friend, a Brahmana, by name Khagama. He was truthful and possessed spiritual powers by penances.
2. When he was engaged in Agnihotra, out of boyish frivolity, I made a snake of the blades of grass and tried to frighten him. He fainted away (when he saw this mock snake).
3. Recovering his senses, that truthful and penance-performing Rishi exclaimed in anger,
4. “As you made a powerless mock snake to frighten me, you will yourself turn into a venom less serpent by my curse.”
5. O Rishi, l was well aware of the power of penances that he possessed. Therefore, with an agitated heart, I addressed him thus.
6. Bending low and join both hands, “As I am your friend, I have done this only as a joke to make you laugh.
7-8. You should, O Brahmana, pardon me and revoke your curse.” Seeing me very much distressed, the ascetic was moved; and breathing hot and hard, he said, “What I have said must happen.
9. O ascetic, listen to what I say; and hearing it, O pious man, always lay it to your heart.
10. When Ruru the holy, the son of Pramati will appear, you will be immediately relieved of the curse on seeing him.”
11. You are the very Ruru, the son of Pramati. Now regaining my natural form, I shall speak something for your benefit.
Souti said: -
12. That illustrious man and the best of Brahmanas then left his snake-body and attained his own form and original brightness.
13. He then readdressed Ruru of incomparable power, saying, “O, best of beings, the highest morality is ‘Not to destroy Life.’
14. Therefore, a Brahmana should never take the life of any creature. The injunction of the Sroti is that a Brahmana should always be mild.
15. Learned in the Vedas and the Vedangas and an inspirer of confidence in all creatures, kind to all, truthful, and forgiving;
16. And a great retainer of the Vedas in memory, —these are the natural duties of a Brahmana. The natural duties of Kashtrya are not those of yours.
17. To be stem, to hold scepts, to rule the subjects, are the natural duties of the Kshatrya. Listen to me, O Ruru.
18. In days of yore, the snakes were destroyed in the sacrifice of Janamejaya, but the terrified snakes were saved by a Brahmana.
19. It was by Astika reamed in the Vedas and the Vedangas and mighty in spiritual power.”
Thus ends the eleventh chapter, Paulama, in the Adi Parva.