SECTION XL

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Devaki's son Janardana of universal knowledge

addressed king Yudhishthira who stood there with his brothers, saying,

"In this world, O sire, Brahmanas are always the objects of worship with

me. They are gods on earth having poison in their speech, and are

exceedingly easy to gratify. Formerly, in the Krita age, O king, a

Rakshasa of the name of Charvaka, O mighty-armed one, performed austere

penances for many years in Vadari. Brahman repeatedly solicited him to

ask for boons. At last the Rakshasa solicited the boon, O Bharata, of

immunity from fear at the hand of every being in the universe. The Lord

of the universe gave that high boon of immunity from fear at the hands of

all creatures, subject to the only limitation that he should be careful

of how he offended the Brahmanas. Having obtained that boon, the sinful

and mighty Rakshasa of fierce deeds and great prowess began to give pain

to the gods. The gods, persecuted by the might of the Rakshasa,

assembling together, approached Brahman, for compassing their foe's

destruction. The eternal and unchangeable god answered them, O Bharata,

saying, 'I have already arranged the means by which the death of this

Rakshasa may soon be brought about. There will be a king of the name of

Duryodhana. Among men, he will be the friend of this wight. Bound by

affection towards him, the Rakshasa will insult the Brahmanas. Stung by

the wrong he will inflict upon them, the Brahmanas, whose might consists

in speech, will in wrath censure him at which he will meet with

destruction.' Even that Rakshasa Charvaka, O foremost of kings, slain by

the curse of the Brahmanas, lies there deprived of life. Do not, O bull

of Bharata's race, give way to grief. The kinsmen, O king, have all

perished in the observance of Kshatriya duties. Those bulls among

Kshatriyas, those high-souled heroes, have all gone to heaven. Do thou

attend to thy duties now. O thou of unfading glory, let no grief be

thine. Stay thy foes, protect thy subjects, and worship the Brahmanas."'"

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 · 第 39 / 367 章