foes which that person hath.  The gods know him for a Brahmana who hath cast off anger and passion.  The gods know him for a Brahmana who always speaketh the truth here, who always gratifieth his preceptor, and who, though injured himself, never returneth the injury.  The gods know him for a Brahmana who hath his senses under control, who is virtuous and pure and devoted to the study of the Vedas, and who hath mastery over anger and lust.  The gods know him for a Brahmana who, cognisant of morals and endued with mental energy, is catholic in religion and looketh upon all equal unto himself.  The gods know him for a Brahmana who studieth himself and teacheth others, who performeth sacrifices himself and officiateth at the sacrifices of others, and who giveth away to the best of his means.  The gods know that bull among the regenerate ones for a Brahmana who, endued with liberality of soul, practiseth the Brahmacharya vow and is devoted to study,—­in fact who is vigilantly devoted to the study of the Vedas.  Whatever conduceth to the happiness of the Brahmanas is always recited before these.  Ever taking pleasure in truth, the hearts of such men never find joy in untruth.  O thou best of regenerate ones, it hath been said that the study of the Vedas, tranquillity of soul, simplicity of behaviour, and repression of the senses, constitute the eternal duties of the Brahmana.  Those cognisant with virtue and morals have said that truth and honesty are the highest virtue.  Virtue that is eternal is difficult of being understood.  But whatever it is, it is based on truth.  The ancients have declared that virtue dependeth on sruti.  But, O foremost of regenerate ones, virtue as exposed in sruti appears to be of various kinds.  It is, therefore, too subtle of comprehension.  Thou, O holy one, art cognisant of virtue, pure, and devoted to the study of the Vedas.  I think, however, O holy one, that thou dost not know what virtue in reality is.  Repairing to the city of Mithila, enquire thou of a virtuous fowler there, if indeed, O regenerate one, thou art not really acquainted with what constitutes the highest virtue.  There liveth in Mithila a fowler who is truthful and devoted to the service of his parents and who hath senses under complete control.  Even he will discourse to thee on virtue.  Blessed be thou, O best of regenerate ones, if thou likest, repair thither.  O faultless one, it behoveth thee to forgive me, if what I have said be unpalatable, for they that are desirous of acquiring virtue are incapable of injuring women!’

“At these words of the chaste woman, the Brahmana replied, saying, ’I am gratified with thee.  Blessed be thou; my anger hath subsided, O beautiful one!  The reproofs uttered by thee will be of the highest advantage to me.  Blessed be thou, I shall now go and accomplish what is so conducive, O handsome one, to my benefit!’

“Markandeya continued, ’Dismissed by her, Kausika, that best of regenerate ones, left her house, and, reproaching himself, returned to his own abode.’”