Vaishampayana said: -
1. Thereupon, that best of Rishis thus replied to the ascetics, “Whom shall I blame? None is to blame.”
2. O king, the guards, having seen him after many days in that state, told the king all that had happened.
3. Having heard their words, the king after consulting with his ministers, gratified that excellent Rishi fixed on the Sula.
The king said: -
4. O best of Rishis, I have offended you out of ignorance. I beseech you, pardon me. You should not be angry with me.
Vaishampayana said: -
5-6. Having been thus addressed by the king, the Rishi was gratified. Having thus gratified him, the king took down the Sula and tried to draw it out from him but he was unable to do it.
7. The Rishi in that state with Sula practised the austerest penances and he thus conquered by his asceticism many regions difficult to be obtained.
8. Therefore, he was called on earth Animandavya. That great truth-knowing Brahmana (one day) went to Dharma (the god of justice).
9. Seeing the god seated on his seat, the lord (Rishi) asked him reproachingly, “What is the sinful act which has been committed unconsciously by me.
10. For which I am suffering from this punishment? Tell me without delay and then see my ascetic power.”
Dharma said: -
11. O ascetic, a little insect was once pierced by you with a blade of grass; you now receive the fruit of your action.
Animandavya said: -
12. You have inflicted upon me a great punishment for a little fault. Therefore, O Dharma, you will be born as a man in the womb of a Sudra woman.
13. I establish this rule today on earth in respect of the consequences of one’s act that no sin will be committed in any act done by a man below the age of fourteen years. When committed only above that age, it will be sin.”
Vaishampayana said: -
14. Being cursed by that illustrious man for this fault, Dharma was born as Vidura in the womb of a Sudra woman.
15. He (Vidura) was learned in Dharma and Artha; he was free from avarice and anger; he was fore-seeing, tranquil in mind and ever engaged in doing good to the Kurus.
Thus ends the hundred and eighth chapter, the history of Animandavya, in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.