would in matters of
food abstain from nothing!'

"'"Viswamitra said, 'In accepting (an unclean present) or in eating
(unclean food) there is sin. When one's life, however, is in danger there
is no sin in accepting such a present or eating such food. Besides, the
eating of unclean food, when unaccompanied by slaughter and deception and
when the act will provoke only mild rebuke, is not matter of much
consequence.'

"'"The Chandala said, 'If this be thy reason for eating unclean food, it is
then clear thou dost not regard the Veda and Arya morality. Taught by
what thou art going to do, I see, O foremost of Brahmanas, that there is
no sin in disregarding the distinction between food that is clean and
food that is unclean.'

"'"Viswamitra said, 'It is not seen that a person incurs a grave sin by
eating (forbidden food). That one becomes fallen by drinking wine is only
a wordy precept (for restraining men from drinking). The other forbidden
acts (of the same species), whatever they be, in fact, every sin, cannot
destroy one's merit.'

"'"The Chandala said, 'That learned person who takes away dog's meat from
an unworthy place (like this), from an unclean wretch (like me), from one
who (like me) leads such a wicked life, commits an act that is opposed to
the behaviour of those that are called good. In consequence, again, of
his connection with such a deed, he is certain to suffer the pangs of
repentance.'"

"'Bhishma continued, "The Chandala, having said these words unto Kusika's
son, became silent. Viswamitra then, of cultivated understanding, took
away that haunch of dog's meat. The great ascetic having possessed
himself of that piece of dog's meat for saving his life, took it away
into the woods and wished with his wife to eat it. He resolved that
having first gratified the deities according to due rites, he should then
eat that haunch of dog's meat at his pleasure. Igniting a fire according
to the Brahma rites, the ascetic, agreeably to those rites that go by the
name of Aindragneya, began himself to cook that meat into sacrificial
Charu. He then, O Bharata, began the ceremonies in honour of the gods and
the Pitris, by dividing that Charu into as many portions as were
necessary, according to the injunctions of the scriptures, and by
invoking the gods with Indra at their head (for accepting their shares).
Meanwhile, the chief of the celestials began to pour copiously. Reviving
all creatures by those showers, he cause