of devouring Saktri; he himself provided for his own death.  And, O Parasara, Viswamitra was only a blind instrument in that matter.  Both Saktri and Kalmashapada, having ascended to heaven are enjoying great happiness.  And, the other sons also of the great Rishi Vasishtha who were younger than Saktri, are even now enjoying themselves with the celestials.  And, O child, O offspring of Vasishtha’s son, thou hast also been, in this sacrifice, only an instrument in the destruction of these innocent Rakshasas.  O, blest be thou!  Abandon this sacrifice of thine.  Let it come to an end.’

“The Gandharva continued, ’Thus addressed by Pulastya, as also by the intelligent Vasishtha, that mighty Muni—­the son of Saktri then brought that sacrifice to an end.  And the Rishi cast the fire that he had ignited for the purpose of the Rakshasas’ sacrifice into the deep woods on the north of the Himavat.  And that fire may be seen to this day consuming Rakshasas and trees and stones in all seasons.’”

SECTION CLXXXIV

(Chaitraratha Parva continued)

“Arjuna asked, ’What for, O Gandharva, did king Kalmashapada command his queen to go unto that foremost of all persons conversant with the Vedas—­the master Vasishtha?  Why also did that illustrious and great Rishi Vasishtha himself who was acquainted with every rule of morality know a woman he should not have known?  O friend, was this an act of sin on the part of Vasishtha?  It behoveth thee to remove the doubts I entertain and refer to thee for solution.’

“The Gandharva replied, saying, ’O irrepressible Dhananjaya, listen to me as I answer the question thou hast asked in respect of Vasishtha and king Kalmashapada that cherisher of friends.  O thou best of the Bharatas, I have told thee all about the curse of king Kalmashapada by Saktri, the illustrious son of Vasishtha.  Brought under the influence of the curse, that smiter of all foes—­king Kalmashapada—­with eyes whirling in anger went out of his capital accompanied by his wife.  And entering with his wife the solitary woods the king began to wander about.  And one day while the king under the influence of the curse was wandering through that forest abounding in several kinds of deer and various other animals and overgrown with numerous large trees and shrubs and creepers and resounding with terrible cries, he became exceedingly hungry.  And the monarch thereupon began to search for some food.  Pinched with hunger, the king at last saw, in a very solitary part of the woods, a Brahmana and his wife enjoying each other.  Alarmed at beholding the monarch the couple ran away, their desire ungratified.  Pursuing the retreating pair, the king forcibly seized the Brahmana.  Then the Brahmani, beholding her lord seized, addressed the monarch, saying, ’Listen to what I say, O monarch of excellent vows!  It is known all over the world that thou art born in the solar race, and