Markandeya said: - -
1. Having introduced both of his parents to that Brahmanas as his highest Gurus that virtuous-minded fowler again thus spoke to the Brahmana.
The Fowler said: - -
2-3. Behold the power of my virtue by which my spiritual vision has extended. For this reason, you were told by that self-controlled and truthful and chaste lady, ‘Go to Mithila, there lives a Fowler who will explain to you the mysteries of religion.’
The Brahmana said: - -
4. O virtuous and vow-observing man, thinking of what that truthful, well-behaved and chaste lady told me, I am of opinion, that you really possess very high qualities.
The Fowler said: - -
5. O foremost of Brahmanas, O Lord, what that chaste lady told you about me, was certainly said with full knowledge of the facts.
6. O sire, I have explained to you all this as a matter of favour. O Brahmana, hear what will be good for you.
7. O foremost of Brahmanas, O faultless one, you have wronged your father and mother, for you have left home for learning the Vedas without their permission.
8. You have not properly acted in this matter, for your ascetic and aged parents have become completely blind from grief at your loss.
9. Go back to please them. May this virtue never forsake you. You are an ascetic, you are high-souled; you are always devoted to your religion,
10. But all has become in vain, Therefore, soon go back to console your parents. Have regard for my words and do not act in any other way. I tell you what is good for you, O Brahmana return even today.
The Brahmana said: - -
11. O man of virtuous practices, what you have said is certainly true. Be blessed, I am much pleased with you,
The Fowler said: - -
12-13. O foremost of Brahmanas, as you assiduously practice these divine, ancient and eternal virtues which are so difficult to be acquired even by pure-minded men, you seem to be a divine being. Return soon to the side of your parents and be quick and diligent in honouring your father and mother, for I do not know, if there is any virtue higher than this.
The Brahmanas said: - -
14. By good luck, I have come here and by good luck I have met with you. Such expounders of religion are difficult to get in this world.
15. There is hardly one man among one thousand, who is leaned in the mysteries of religion. O foremost of men, I am highly pleased with you. Let prosperity and good fortune by yours.
16. O sinless one, I was at the point of falling into hell, but I have been saved by you. It was ordained and Therefore, I did meet you.
17. O foremost of men, as the fallen king Yayati was saved by his virtuous grandson, so have I now been saved by you.
18. I shall serve my father and mother at your command. No vicious-minded man can ever expound the mysteries of virtue and vice.
19. As it is very difficult for a Shudra to learn the mysteries of eternal religion. I do not consider you to be a Shudra. There must be some reason for all this.
20. You must have been born as a Shudra as a result of your past Karma (in a previous birth). O high-souled one, I eagerly desire to learn truth of this matter. Tell this to me with attention and according to your inclination.
The Fowler said: - -
21. O foremost of the Brahmanas, O sinless one, Brahmanas are worthy of all respect from me, hear about the story of my previous existence.
22. O son of the best of Brahmanas, I was a Brahmana previously (in my another birth); I was well-read in the Vedas and earned in the Vedangas.
23. Through my own fault I have been degraded to my present state. A certain king learned in the science of arms was my friend.
24. O Brahmana, from his companionship, I too became proficient in archery. Once upon a time the king went out hunting,
25. Surrounded by his ministers and followed by his best warriors. He killed many deer near a hermitage.
26. O foremost of Brahmanas, I too shot a swift and fearful arrow. A Rishi was wounded by that arrow with head bent.
27. The Brahmana fell down on the ground and screaming aloud said “I have done no wrong, what wretch has done this?
28. O lord, taking him for a deer I soon went near him and saw that Rishi pierced by my that arrow with head bent.
29-30. For my wicked deed I was very much aggrieved in my mind. I said to that Rishi of severe austerities who was loudly crying lying on the ground, “I have unconsciously done this.” I again said to that Rishi “you should pardon me for this sinful act.”
31. But the Brahmana, becoming exceedingly | angry said, “You shall be born as a cruel fowler in the Shudra order.”
Thus ends the two hundred and fourteenth chapter, colloquy between the Fowler and the Brahmana in the Markandeya Samasya of the Vana Parva.