mself, Gautama
began to think, 'Heavy is this load that I have taken of bright gold,
moved by covetousness and folly. I have a long way to travel. I have no
food by which to support life on my way. What should I do for supporting
life?' Even these were his thoughts then. It so happened that even upon
much thinking he failed to see any food which he could eat on the way.
Ungrateful as he was, O tiger among men, even this was the thought that
he then conceived, 'This prince of cranes, so large and containing a heap
of flesh, stayeth by my side. Staying and bagging him, I shall leave this
spot and go along with great speed.'"'"

SECTION CLXXII

"'Bhishma said, "There, under that banian, for the protection of his
guest, the prince of birds had kindled and kept up a fire with high and
blazing flames.[496] On one side of the fire, the bird slept trustfully.
The ungrateful and wicked-souled wretch prepared to slay his sleeping
host. With the aid of that blazing fire he killed the trustful bird, and
having despatched him, became filled with delight, never thinking there
was sin in what he did. Peeling off the feathers and the down, he roasted
the flesh on that fire. Then taking it up with the gold he had brought,
the Brahmana fled quickly from that spot. The next day, the Rakshasa king,
Virupaksha, addressing his son, said, 'Alas, O son, I do not behold
Rajadharman, that best of birds, today. Every morning he repairs to the
regions of Brahman for adoring the Grandsire. While returning, he never
goes home without paying me a visit. These two mornings and two nights
have passed away without his having come to my abode. My mind, therefore,
is not in peace. Let my friend be enquired after. Gautama, who came here,
is without Vedic studies and destitute of Brahmanic splendour. He has
found his way to the abode of my friend. I greatly fear, that worst of
Brahmanas has slain Rajadharman. Of evil practices and wicked
understanding, I read him through by the signs he showed. Without
compassion, of cruel and grim visage, and wicked, that vilest of men is
like a robber. That Gautama has gone to the abode of my friend. For this
reason, my heart has become extremely anxious. O son, proceeding hence
with great speed to the abode of Rajadharman, ascertain whether that
pure-souled bird is still alive. Do not tarry.' Thus addressed by his
sire, the prince, accompanied by other Rakshasas, proceeded with great
speed. Arrived at the foot of th