am. And
then, O thou conqueror of hostile cities, the Muni Tarkshya, addressed
them, saying, 'Ye princes, can this be the Brahmana of your killing? This
Brahmana, endowed with occult gifts from spiritual exercises, is, indeed,
my son!' Seeing that Rishi, O lord of the earth, they were struck with
bewilderment. And they said, 'What a marvel! How hath the dead come to
life again? Is it the power of his austere virtue by which he hath
revived again? We long to hear this, O Brahmana, if, indeed, it can be
divulged?' To them, he replied, 'Death, O lords of men, hath no power
over us! I shall tell ye the reason briefly and intelligibly. We perform
our own sacred duties; therefore, have we no fear of death; we speak well
of Brahmanas but never think any ill of them; therefore hath death no
terror for us. Entertaining our guests with food and drink, and our
dependants with plenty of food, we ourselves (then) partake of what is
left; therefore we are not afraid of death. We are peaceful and austere
and charitable and forbearing and fond of visiting sacred shrines, and we
live in sacred places; therefore we have no fear of death. And we live in
places inhabited by men who have great spiritual power; therefore hath
death no terror for us. I have briefly told ye all! Return ye now all
together, cured of all worldly vanity. Ye have no fear of sin!' Saying
amen, O foremost scion of Bharata's race, and saluting the great Muni,
all those princes joyously returned to their country."

SECTION CLXXXIV

"Markandeya continued, 'Do ye again hear from me the glory of the
Brahmanas! It is said that a royal sage of the name of Vainya was once
engaged in performing the horse-sacrifice and that Atri desired to go to
him for alms. But Atri subsequently gave up his desire of wealth, from
religious scruples. After much thought he, of great power, became
desirous of living in the woods, and, calling his wife and sons together,
addressed them thus, 'Let us attain the highly tranquil and complete
fruition of our desires. May it, therefore, be agreeable to you to repair
quickly to the forest for a life of great merit.' His wife, arguing from
motives of virtue also then said to him, 'Hie thee to the illustrious
prince Vainya, and beg of him vast riches! Asked by thee, that royal
sage, engaged in sacrifice will give thee wealth. Having gone there, O
regenerate Rishi, and received from him vast wealth, thou canst
distribute it among thy sons and serva