are never angry with old men, children, and ascetics,
even if these transgress frequently. In respect
of even a great wrong forgiveness is due from the regenerate.
The worship, therefore, O best of Brahmanas, that
is offered to the best of one’s power and exertion,
should be acceptable!’ Hearing these words of
the monarch, the Brahmana said, ‘So be it!’
Thereupon, the king became highly pleased and assigned
unto him apartments that were white as swans or the
beams of the moon. And in the room intended for
the sacrificial fire, the king placed a brilliant
seat especially constructed for him. And the
food and other things that were offered unto the Brahmana
were of the same excellent kind. And casting
aside idleness and all sense of self-importance, the
princess addressed herself with right good will to
wait upon the Brahmana. And the chaste Kunti,
endued with purity of conduct, went thither for serving
the Brahmana. And duly waiting upon that Brahmana
as if he were a very god, she gratified him highly.”
Vaisampayana said, “And that maiden of rigid
vows. O mighty monarch, by serving with a pure
heart, that Brahmana of rigid vows, succeeded in gratifying
him. And, O foremost of kings, saying, ’I
will come back in the morning,’ that best of
Brahmanas sometimes came in the evening or in night.
Him, however, the maiden worshipped at all hours with
sumptuous food and drink and bed. And as day
after day passed away, her attentions to him, in respect
of food and seat and bed, increased instead of undergoing
any diminution. And, O king, even when the Brahmana
reproved her, finding fault with any of her arrangements,
or addressed her in harsh words, Pritha did not do
anything that was disagreeable to him. And on
many occasions the Brahmana came back after the appointed
hour had long passed away. And on many occasions
(such as the depth of night) when food was hard to
procure, he said, ‘Give me food!’ But on
all those occasions saying, ’All is ready,’—Pritha
held before him the fare. And even like a disciple,
daughter, or a sister, that blameless gem of a girl
with a devoted heart, O king, gratified that foremost
of Brahmanas. And that best of Brahmanas became
well-pleased with her conduct and ministrations.
And he received those attentions of hers, valuing them
rightly. And, O Bharata, her father asked her
every morning and evening saying, “O daughter,
is the Brahmana satisfied with thy ministrations?
And that illustrious maiden used to reply, ‘Exceedingly
well!’ And thereupon, the high-souled Kuntibhoja
experienced the greatest delight. And when after
a full year that best of ascetics was unable to find
any fault whatever in Pritha, who was engaged in ministering
unto him, well-pleased he said unto her, ’O
gentle maid, I have been well-pleased with thy attentions,
O beautiful girl! Do thou, O blessed girl, ask
even for such boons as are difficult of being obtained
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