t which I have said may
have been heard by you all. Ye foremost of regenerate persons, this
sacrifice is not equal in merit to the gift of a prastha of powdered
barley. Without doubt, I should say this, ye foremost of Brahmanas.
Listen to me with undivided attention as I narrate what happened to thee
truly. Wonderful and excellent was the occurrence that fell out. It was
witnessed by me and its consequences were felt by me. The incident
relates to a liberal Brahmana dwelling in Kurukshetra in the observance
of the Unccha vow. In consequence of that incident he attained to Heaven,
ye regenerate ones, along with his wife and son and daughter-in-law. And
in consequence of what then happened half my body became transformed into
gold."

"'The Mongoose continued, "Ye regenerate ones, I shall presently tell you
what the excellent fruit was of the gift, made by a Brahmana, of a very
little measure (of powdered barley) obtained by lawful means. On that
righteous spot of ground known by the name of Kurukshetra, which is the
abode of many righteous persons, there lived a Brahmana in the observance
of what is called the Unccha vow. That mode of living is like unto that
of the pigeon.[214] He lived there with his wife and son and
daughter-in-law and practised penances. Of righteous soul, and with
senses under complete control, he adopted the mode of living that is
followed by a parrot. Of excellent vows, he used to eat everyday at the
sixth division.[215] If there was nothing to eat at the sixth division of
the day, that excellent Brahmana would fast for that day and eat the next
day at the sixth division. On one occasion, ye Brahmanas, there occurred
a dreadful famine in the land. During that time there was nothing stored
in the abode of that righteous Brahmana. The herbs and plants were all
dried up and the whole realm became void of foodstore. When the
accustomed hours came for eating, the Brahmana had nothing to eat. This
occurred day after day. All the members of his family were afflicted with
hunger but were obliged to pass the days as best they could. One day, in
the month of Jaishtha, while the Sun was in the meridian, the Brahmana
was engaged in picking up grains of corn. Afflicted by heat and hunger,
he was practising even this penance. Unable to obtain grains of corn, the
Brahmana soon became worn out with hunger and toil. Indeed, with all the
members of his family, he had no food to eat. That best of Brahmanas
passed the