d not to overwhelm a
fellow-creature with affliction. Indeed, the wretch, through force of
habit alone, committed that sin even at such a time. He then beheld in
the midst of that forest a lordly tree, blue as the clouds. It was the
resort of myriads of birds desirous of shade and shelter. It seemed to
have been placed there by the Creator for the good of all creatures like
a good man in the world. Soon the sky cleared and became spangled with
myriads of stars, presenting the aspect of a magnificent lake smiling
with blooming lilies. Turning his eyes towards the clear firmament rich
with stars, the fowler began to advance, still trembling with cold.
Beholding the sky cleared of clouds, he cast his eyes on all sides and
seeing that night was already upon him, he began to think, 'My home is at
great distance from where I am.' He then resolved to pass the night under
the shade of that tree. Bowing down to it with joined hands, he addressed
that monarch of the forest, saying, 'I am a suppliant for the shelter
unto all the deities that have this tree for their resort.' Having said
these words, he spread some leaves for a bed, and laid himself down on
it, resting his head on a stone. Though overwhelmed with affliction, the
man soon fell asleep."'"

SECTION CXLIV

"'Bhishma said, "In one of the branches of that tree, a pigeon with
beautiful feathers, O king, lived for many years with his family. That
morning his wife had gone out in search of food but had not yet returned.
Seeing the night had come and his wife still unreturned, the bird began
to indulge in lamentations: 'Oh, great has been the storm and painful the
shower that came today! Alas, thou has not yet returned, O dear wife! Woe
is on me, what can be the cause that she has not yet come back to us? Is
every thing right with that dear spouse of mine in the forest? Separated
from her, this my home appears to me empty! A house-holder's home, even
if filled with sons and grandsons and daughters-in-law and servants, is
regarded empty if destitute of the housewife. One's house is not one's
home; one's wife only is one's home. A house without the wife is as
desolate as the wilderness. If that dear wife of mine, of eyes fringed
with red, of variegated plumes, and of sweet voice, does not come back
today, my life itself will cease to be of any value. Of excellent vows,
she never eats before I eat, and never bathes before I bathe. She never
sits before I sit down, and neve