Markandeya said: - -
1. Now hear another story. One day when the king Yayati, the son of Nahusa, was sitting on his throne surrounded by the citizens, a Brahmana came there for (the purpose of begging) wealth for his preceptor. And he thus spoke, “O king, I bet wealth for my preceptor according to the pledge (I gave him).
The king said: - -
The Brahmana said: - -
3. O king, in this world when a man asks for alms, men the him who asks for it. I ask you Therefore, (to tell me) with what feelings you will give me what I ask and on which I have set my heart.
The king said: - -
4. Having given away anything, I never boast of it; I never also listen to the prayers for things which cannot be given. But I (always) hear the prayers for things than can be given. Giving away, I always become happy.
5. I shall give you one thousand kine; the Brahmana who asks me for a gift is always very dear to me. I am never angry with a man who asks of me and I am never sorry for having given away.
Markandeya said: - -
6. Having said this. the king gave one thousand kine to the Brahmanas and the Brahmana also obtained one thousand kine.
Thus ends the one hundred and ninety-fifth chapter, the history of Yayati, in the Markandeya Samashya of the Vana Parva.