Vaishampayana said: - -
1. The Pandavas again said, “Tell us again of the greatness (of the Kshatriyas).
2. Markandeya said, “O great king, there were two kings, named Vrishadarbha and Seduka. Both of them were learned in the precepts of morality and skillful in the weapons of offence and defence.
3. Seduka knew that Vrishadarbha had from his boyhood a mental vow, namely that he would never give no other metal to a Brahmana except gold and silver.
4. Once upon a time, a Brahmana having completed his study of the Vedas, came to Seduka; and uttering a benediction upon him he begged (wealth for his preceptor);
5. Saying “Give me one thousand horses.” Seduka spoke to the Brahmana,
6. “It is not possible for me to give you this for your preceptor.
7. Therefore, go to Vrishadarbha; he is, O Brahmana, a (very) virtuous king; go and beg of him. He will give you, for it is his vow.”
8. Thereupon the Brahmana went to Vrishadarbha and begged one thousand horses. That king (however) struck him with a whip.
9. Then the Brahmana said, “I am innocent, why do you strike me thus?”
10. Having said this, he was going to curse the king, when the latter said,” Do you curse him who does not give you what you ask? Is this the conduct proper in a Brahmana?”
Brahmana said: - -
11. O king of kings, sent to you by Seduka I came to you to beg. For your bad conduct, I am going to curse you.
The king said: - -
12. I shall now give by whatever tribute comes to me before the morning is expired. How can I send away a man empty-handed who has been whipped by me?
Markandeya said: - -
13. Having said this, he gave the Brahmana whatever came to him that day which was not than the value of one thousand horses.
Thus ends the one hundred and ninety-sixth chapter, the history of Sudeka, and Vrishadharbha in the Markandeya Samashya of the Vana Parva.
Markandeya said: - -
1. One day the celestials resolved that they should go to the earth and try the virtue of the ruler of earth, Shivi. Saying “very well” Agni and Indra went (to earth).
2. Agni, assuming the form of a region flew away from Indra who pursued him in the form of a hawk.
3. The region fell on the lap of the king Shivi who was seated on a costly seat.
4. Thereupon the priest thus spoke to the king,” Afraid of the hawk, this region has come to you for his life with the intention of saving it.
5. The learned men have said that the fall of region on one’s lap forebodes a great danger. The king who understands men should save himself by giving away wealth.”
6. Thereupon the region thus spoke to the king. “Afraid of the hawk and desirous of saving my life, I have come to you for the safety of my life. I am a Rishi. Assuming now the form of a region I have come to you to seek the protection of my life. I consider you my life.
7. Know me as one who is learned in the Vedas, as one leading the life of a Brahmachari, as one who possesses self-control and asceticism. Know me also as one who have never spoken a harsh word to his preceptor, as one possessed of every virtue and as one that is sinless.
8. I recite the Vedas, I know their prosody, I have studied all the Vedas letter per letter. I am not a region. Therefore, do not given me up to the hawk. Giving up a learned and a noble man is never a good gift.”
9. Thereupon the hawk spoke thus to the king.”
10. Creatures are not at once born in their own order. You may have been in a former birth begotten by this region. O king, it is not proper for you to interfere with my food by protecting this region.
The King said: - -
11. Has any one seen before that birds speak the pure speech of man? knowing what the region says and also what the hawk says, what is good for us to do?
12. He, who gives up a frightened creature seeking protection of his enemies, does not get protection when he is in need of it. The clouds do not shower seasonably for him and the seeds, though sown, do not grow for him.
13. He, who gives up an afflicted creature seeking protection of its enemies, sees his offspring die in childhood. The forefathers of such a man can never live in heaven. The very celestials decline to accept his havya, the libation of ghi poured by him into the fire.
14. He who gives up an afflicted creature seeking protection of his enemies is struck by the thunderbolt hurled by the celestials with Indra at their head. Being a very narrow-minded person, the food he eats is unsanctified and he soon falls from the celestials region.
15. O hawk, let Shivis put before you a bull cooked with rice in the place of this region. Let them carry meat in abundance to the place where you like (to take them).
The Hawk said: - -
16. O king, I do not ask for a bull or any other meat or meat more than what is in that region. He (the region) is my food today ordained by the gods. Therefore, give him up to me.
The king said: - -
17. Let my men see and carefully carry the bull to you with its every limb entire. Let that bull be the ransom for this frightened creature. Do not kill this region.
18. O hawk, I will give up my own life, but I will not give up this region. Do you not see this creature looks like a sacrifice with the Soma juice? O blessed one, do not take so much trouble for it; I will never give up this region.
19. O hawk, if it pleases you order me to do something which may be agreeable to you and for doing which the Shivi people may praise me and bless me in joy. I promise that I shall do whatever you will tell me to do.
The Hawk said: - -
20. O king, if you give me as much flesh as would be equal in weight to this region, flesh cutting off from your right thigh, then can the region be saved by you, then would you do what would be agreeable to me and what the Shivi people would speak in high terms of praise.
21. Thereupon he cut off a piece of flesh from his right thigh and weighed it with the region, but the region weighed heavier.
22. He cut off another piece of flesh, but still the region weighed heavier. Then he cut off pieces of flesh from all parts of his body and placed them on the scale, but the region still weighed heavier.
23. Thereupon the king himself got on the scale; he did not feel the least grief for it. Seeing this the hawk then and there disappeared exclaiming “saved”. Thereupon the king said,
24. “O bird, O region, I ask you, let the Shivi people know who this hawk is. None except the lord of creation can do what he did. O exalted one, reply to my question.
The Pegion said: - -
25. O son of Suratha, I am the smoke-bannered deity, Vaishvanara (Fire). The hawk is the husband of Sachi, the wielder of thunder (Indra). You are the foremost of men, we came to try you.
26. O king, these pieces of flesh that you have cut off from your body with your sword to save me, have made gashes in your body. I shall make these marks auspicious. They will be handsome, golden-coloured and sweet-scented.
27. Earning great fame and being respected by the celestials, you will long rule over these men. A son will be born to you from your side who will be named Kapotaroma.
28. You will get out of your own body this son named Kapotaroma. You will see him become the foremost heroes of the Saurathas blazing in fame and possessing exceeding bravery and great beauty.
Thus ends the one hundred and ninety-seventh chapter, the history of Shibi, in the Markandeya Samashya of the Vana Parva.