n the way, I saw that foremost of sages,
Agastya, engaged in the practice of severe austerities on the bank of
the Yamuna, abounding in various birds and graced with blossoming trees.
And, O king, immediately on seeing that mass of energy, flaming and
brilliant as fire, seated with upraised arms, facing the sun, my friend,
the graceful lord of the Rakshasas, Maniman, from stupidity,
foolishness, hauteur and ignorance discharged his excrement on the crown
of that Maharshi. Thereupon, as if burning all the cardinal points by
his wrath, he said unto me, "Since, O lord of treasures, in thy very
presence, disregarding me, this thy friend hath thus affronted me, he,
together with thy forces, shall meet with destruction at the hands of a
mortal. And, O wicked-minded one, thou also, being distressed on account
of thy fallen soldiers, shalt be freed from thy sin, on beholding that
mortal. But if they follow thy behests, their (the soldier's) powerful
sons shall not incur by this dreadful curse. This curse I received
formerly from that foremost of Rishis. Now, O mighty king, have I been
delivered by thy brother Bhima."'"

SECTION CLXI

"The lord of treasures said, 'O Yudhishthira, patience, ability,
(appropriate) time and place and prowess--these five lead to success in
human affairs. O Bharata, in the Krita Yuga, men were patient and able
in their respective occupations and they knew how to display prowess.
And, O foremost of the Kshatriyas, a Kshatriya that is endued with
patience and understandeth the propriety regarding place and time and is
versed in all mortal regulations, can alone govern the world for a long
time,--nay, in all transactions. He that behaveth thus, acquireth, O
hero, fame in this world and excellent state in the next. And by having
displayed his prowess at the proper place and time, Sakra with the
Vasus hath obtained the dominion of heaven. He that from anger cannot
see his fall and he that being naturally wicked and evilminded followeth
evil and he that knoweth not the propriety relative to acts, meet with
destruction both in this world and the next. The exertions of that
stupid person become fruitless, who is not conversant with the
expediency regarding time and acts, and he meeteth with destruction both
in this world and the next. And the object of that wicked and deceitful
persons is vicious, who, aiming at mastery of every kind, committeth
some rash act. O best of men, Bhimasena is fearless, and ign