SECTION CCCLX

“The Naga said, ’O thou of sweet smiles, for whom hast thou taken that Brahmana?  Is he really a human being or is he some deity that has come hither in the disguise of a Brahmana?  O thou of great fame, who is there among human beings that would be desirous of seeing me or that would be competent for the purpose?  Can a human being, desiring to see me, leave such a command with thee about dispatching me to him for paying him a visit at the place where he is dwelling?  Amongst the deities and Asuras and celestial Rishis, O amiable lady, the Nagas are endued with great energy.  Possessed of great speed, they are endued again with excellent fragrance.  They deserve to be worshipped.  They are capable of granting boons.  Indeed, we too deserve to be followed by others in our train.  I tell thee, O lady, that we are incapable of being seen by human beings.’[1935]

“The spouse of the Naga chief said, ’Judging by his simplicity and candour I know that that Brahmana is not any deity who subsists on air.  O thou of great wrath, I also know this, viz., that he reveres thee with all his heart.  His heart is set upon the accomplishment of some object that depends upon thy aid.  As the bird called Chataka, which is fond of rain, waits in earnest expectation of a shower (for slaking its thirst), even so is that Brahmana waiting in expectation of a meeting with thee.[1936] Let no calamity betake him in consequence of his inability to obtain a sight of thee.  No person born like thee in a respectable family can be regarded to remain respectable by neglecting a guest arrived at his house.[1937] Casting off that wrath which is natural to thee, it behoveth thee to go and see that Brahmana.  It behoveth thee not to suffer thyself to be consumed by disappointing that Brahmana.  The king or the prince, by refusing to wipe the tears of persons that come to him from hopes of relief, incurs the sin of foeticide.  By abstaining from speech one attains to wisdom.  By practising gifts one acquires great fame.  By adhering to truthfulness of speech, one acquires the gift of eloquence and comes to be honoured in heaven.  By giving away land one attains to that high end which is ordained for Rishis leading the sacred mode of life.  By earning wealth through righteous means, one succeeds in attaining to many desirable fruits.  By doing in its entirety what is beneficial for oneself, one can avoid going to hell.  That is what the righteous say.

“The Naga said, ’I had no arrogance due to pride.  In consequence, however, of my birth, the measure of my arrogance was considerable.  Of wrath, which is born of desire, O blessed lady, I have none.  It has all been consumed by the fire of thy excellent instructions.  I do not behold, O blessed dame, any darkness that is thicker than wrath.  In consequence, however, of the Naga having excess of wrath, they have become object of reproach with