of time and place, he roved over the mountains.  Acquainted as he was with the habits of all animals, his arrows never missed their aim, and his weapons were strong.  Alone, he could vanquish many hundreds of troops.  He worshipped his old, blind, and deaf parents in the forest every day.  With honey and flesh and fruits and roots and other kinds of excellent food, he hospitably entertained all persons deserving of honour and did them many good offices.  He showed great respect for those Brahmanas that had retired from the world for taking up their residence in the woods.  Killing the deer, he often took flesh to them.  As regards those that were unwilling, from fear of others, to accept gifts from him because of the profession he followed, he used to go to their abodes before dawn and leave flesh at their doors.[406] One day many thousands of robbers, destitute of compassion in their conduct and regardless of all restraints, desired to elect him as their leader.’

“The robbers said, ’Thou art acquainted with the requirements of place and time.  Thou hast wisdom and courage.  Thy firmness also is great in everything thou undertakest.  Be thou our foremost of leaders, respected by us all, We will do as thou wilt direct.  Protect us duly, even as a father or mother.’

“Kayavya said, ’Never kill ye a woman, or one that from fear keeps away from the fight, or one that is a child, or one that is an ascetic.  One that abstains from fight should never be slain, nor should women be seized or brought away with force.  None of you should ever slay a woman amongst all creatures.  Let Brahmanas be always blessed and you should always fight for their good.  Truth should never be sacrificed.  The marriages of men should never be obstructed.  No injury should be inflicted on those houses in which the deities, the Pitris, and guests are worshipped.  Amongst creatures, Brahmanas deserve to be exempted by you in your plundering excursions.  By giving away even your all, you should worship them.  He who incurs the wrath of the Brahmanas, he for whose discomfiture they wish, fails to find a rescuer in the three worlds.  He who speaks ill of the Brahmanas and wishes for their destruction, himself meets with destruction like darkness at sunrise.  Residing here, ye shall acquire the fruits of your valour.  Troops shall be sent against those that will refuse to give us our dues.  The rod of chastisement is intended for the wicked.  It is not intended for self-aggrandisement.  They who oppress the god deserve death, it is said.  They who seek to aggrandise their fortunes by afflicting kingdoms in unscrupulous ways, very soon come to be regarded as vermin in a dead body.  Those robbers again that would conduct themselves by conforming to these restraints of the scriptures, would soon win salvation although leading a plundering life.’