Mahābhārata

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Thus addressed by Indra, Matanga of restrained vows and wellcontrolled soul, stood for a century of years on one foot, O you of unfading glory.

Corresponding verse not found in M. N. Dutt's version.

Corresponding verse not found in M. N. Dutt's version.

M. N. Dutt: Highly illustrious Shakra more appeared before him and addressing him said The dignity of a Brahmana, O child, is unattainable. Although you covet it. It is impossible for you to obtain it.

M. N. Dutt: O Matanga, by coveting that very great dignity you are sure to meet with destruction. Do not, O son, betray such rashness. This is not a righteous path for you to follow.

M. N. Dutt: O you of foolish understanding, it is impossible for you to obtain it in this world, Verily, by coveting that which is unattainable you are sure to meet with destruction forthwith.

M. N. Dutt: I am repeatedly forbidding you. By trying, however, to attain that high dignity by the help of your penances, despite my repeated admonitions, you are sure to meet with destruction.

M. N. Dutt: From a brute life one gains the status of humanity. If born as a human being, he is sure to be born as a Pukkasha or a Chandala.

M. N. Dutt: Verily, one having taken birth in that sinful caste, viz., Pulkasa, one, O Matanga, has to wander in it for a very long time.

M. N. Dutt: Passing a period of one thousand years in that order one is next born as a Shudra. In the Shudra order, again, one has to wander for a long time.

M. N. Dutt: After thirty thousand years one is born as a Vaishya. There in that order, one has to pass a very long time.

Corresponding verse not found in M. N. Dutt's version.

Corresponding verse not found in M. N. Dutt's version.

Corresponding verse not found in M. N. Dutt's version.

M. N. Dutt: After thirty thousand years one is born as a Vaishya. There in that order, one has to pass a very long time.

M. N. Dutt: After a time that is sixty times longer than what has been stated as the period of Shudra birth, one becomes a Kshatriya. In the Kshatriya order one has to pass a very long time. After a time that is measured by multiplying the period last referred to by sixty, one is born as a fallen Brahmana. In this order one has to wander for a long period.

M. N. Dutt: After a time measured by multiplying the period last named by two hundred, one is born in the race of such a Brahmana as lives by the profession of arms. There in that order one has to wander for a long period.

M. N. Dutt: After a time measured by multiplying the period last name by three hundred, one is born in the race of a Brahmana that is given to the recitation of the Gayatri and other sacred Mantras. There, in that order, one has to wander for a long period. After a time measured by multiplying the period last named by four hundred, one is born in the race of such a Bralımana who knows the entire Vedas and the scriptures. There, in that order, one has to wander for a very long period.

M. N. Dutt: While wandering in that existence, joy and grief, desire and hatred vanity and evil speech, scck to enter into him and make a wretch of him.

M. N. Dutt: If he succeeds in subjugating those foes, he then acquires a high end. If, on the other hand, those enemies succeed in subjugating him, he falls down from that high position like a person falling down on the ground from the high top of a palmyra tree.

M. N. Dutt: Knowing this for certain, O Matanga that I say to you do you name some other boon, for the status of a Brahmana is incapable of being acquired by you.

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Thus addressed by Indra, Matanga refused to hear what he was commanded. On the other hand, with regulated vows and purified soul, he practised austerer penances by standing on one foot for a thousand years, being deeply engaged in Yoga-meditation.

M. N. Dutt: After a thousand years had passed away, Shakra once more came to see him. Indeed the destroyer of Vala and Vritra laid to him the same words.

M. N. Dutt: Matanga said I have passed these thousand years, standing on one foot, with soul engaged in meditation and in the observance of the vow of celibacy. Why is it that I have not yet succeeded in acquiring the dignity of a Brahmana?