honourable occupation, I have become a fowler A cruel wretch that I am, without doubt, this high-souled pigeon, by laying down his own life, has read me a grave lesson.  Abandoning wives and sons, I shall certainly cast off my very life-breaths that are so dear.  The high-souled pigeon has taught me that duty.  From this day, denying every comfort to my body, I shall wear it out even as a shallow tank in the season of summer.  Capable of bearing hunger, thirst, and penances, reduced to emaciation, and covered with visible veins all over, I shall, by diverse kinds of practise such vows as have a reference to the other world.  Alas, by giving up his body, the pigeon has shown the worship that should be paid to a guest.  Taught by his example.  I shall henceforth practise righteousness.  Righteousness is the highest refuge (of all creatures).  Indeed, I shall practise such righteousness as has been seen in the righteous pigeon, that foremost of all winged creatures.’  Having formed such a resolution and said these words, that fowler, once of fierce deeds, proceeded to make an unreturning tour of the world,[436] observing for the while the most rigid vows.  He threw away his stout staff, his sharp-pointed iron-stick, his nets and springes, and his iron cage, and set at liberty the she-pigeon that he had seized and immured.’”

SECTION CXLVIII

“Bhishma said, ’After the fowler had left that spot, the she-pigeon, remembering her husband and afflicted with grief on his account, wept copiously and indulged in these lamentations, ’I cannot, O dear lord, recollect a single instance of thy having done me an injury!  Widows, even if mothers of many children, are still miserable!  Bereft of her husband, a woman becomes helpless and an object of pity with her friends.  I was always cherished by thee, and in consequence of the great respect thou hadst for me I was always honoured by thee with sweet, agreeable, charming, and delightful words.  I sported with thee in valleys, in springs of rivers, and on delightful tops of trees.  I was also made happy by thee while roving with thee through the skies.  I used to sport with thee before, O dear lord, but where are those joys now?  Limited are the gifts of the father, of the brother, and of the son to a woman.  The gifts that her husband alone makes to her are unlimited.  What woman is there that would not, therefore, adore her lord?  A woman has no protector like her lord, and no happiness like her lord.  Abandoning all her wealth and possessions, a woman should take to her lord as her only refuge.  Life here is of no use to me, O lord, now that I am separated from thee.  What chaste woman is there that would, when deprived of her lord, venture to bear the burden of life?’ Filled with sorrow and indulging in such piteous lamentations, the she-pigeon, devoted to her lord, cast herself on the blazing fire.  She then beheld her (deceased) husband adorned with