observant of Brahmacharya vows, that Brahmana had been a dear friend of Gautama and belonged to that part of the country from which Gautama had emigrated.  In course of his wanderings, as already said, the Brahmana came to that robber village where Gautama had taken up his abode.  He never accepted any food if given by a Sudra and, therefore, began to search for the house of a Brahmana there (for accepting the duties of hospitality).[492] Accordingly he wandered in every direction in that village teeming with robber-families.  At last that foremost of Brahmanas came to the house owned by Gautama.  It so happened that just at that time Gautama also, returning from the woods, was entering his abode.  The two friends met.  Armed with bow and sword, he bore on shoulders a load of slaughtered cranes, and his body was smeared with the blood that trickled down from the bag on his shoulders.  Beholding that man who then resembled a cannibal and who had fallen away from the pure practices of the order of his birth, entering his house, the newly-arrived guest, recognising him, O king, said these words:  ’What is this that thou art doing here through folly?  Thou art a Brahmana, and the perpetuator of a Brahmana family.  Born in a respectable family belonging to the Middle country, how is it that thou becomest like a robber in thy practices?  Recollect, O regenerate one, thy famous kinsmen of former times, all of whom were well-versed in the Vedas.  Born in their race, alas, thou hast become a stigma to it.  Awake thyself by thy own exertions.  Recollecting the energy, the behaviour, the learning, the self-restraint, the compassion (that are thine by the order of thy birth), leave this thy present abode, O regenerate one!’ Thus addressed by that well-meaning friend of his, O king, Gautama answered him in great affliction of heart, saying, O foremost of regenerate ones, I am poor.  I am destitute also of a knowledge of the Vedas.  Know, O best of Brahmanas, that I have taken up my abode here for the sake of wealth alone.  At thy sight, however, I am blest today.  We shall together set out of this place tomorrow.  Do thou pass the night here with me.  Thus addressed, the newly-arrived Brahmana, full of compassion as he was, passed the night there, refraining to touch anything.  Indeed, though hungry and requested repeatedly the guest refused to touch any food in that house.’”

SECTION CLXIX

“Bhishma said, ’After that night had passed away and that best of Brahmanas had left the house, Gautama, issuing from his abode, began to proceed towards the sea, O Bharata!  On the way he beheld some merchants that used to make voyages on the sea.  With that caravan of merchants he proceeded towards the ocean.  It so happened however, O king, that that large caravan was assailed, while passing through a valley, by an infuriated elephant.  Almost all the persons were killed.  Somehow escaping from that great danger, the Brahmana fled towards the north