*SKANDHA X. CHAP, 64.*
The sons of Krishna went out to play in the forest. They saw a huge
lizard in a certain well. They tried all means, but could not raise it
up. They then informed Krishna. He raised it, without effort, with his
left hand. The lizard assumed the form of a Deva. On inquiry from
Krishna, he thus related his own story. "I am king Nriga of the line of
Ikshvaku. My charities knew no bounds and they have become proverbial.
One cow belonging to a Brahmana got mixed with my herd and, without
knowing that, I gave her to another Brahmana. While he was taking away
the cow, the owner found her out. The two Brahmanas quarrelled and they
came to me. They said: -- 'You are a giver as well as taker.' I became
surprised and, when the facts were known, I offered one lakh of cows for
the return of the mistaken cow. One of them however said, 'I am not
going to take a gift from the king.' The other said: -- 'I do not wish
for other cows even if they be ten lakhs.' They both went away. At this
time the messengers of Yama came and carried me away. Yama said: -- 'I
see no end of your merits and the places acquired by them. Do you prefer
to suffer for your demerit first or to enjoy those heavenly things?' I
took the first choice and down I fell as a lizard into this well. Look
how I have suffered for taking a Brahmana's property." The king then
thanked Krishna for his favor and ascended to the heavens. Krishna gave
a discourse to those around him as to how iniquitous it was to take a
Brahmana's property, consciously or unconsciously.