the grandson,
and the great-grandson. The son is called Putra because he frees his
sires from debt. Through sons and grandsons one always enjoys the
happiness of those regions which are reserved for the pious and the good.'
"'"The father-in-law said, 'O thou of excellent vows and conduct, beholding
thee wasted by wind and sun, deprived of thy very complexion, emaciated
and almost destitute of consciousness through hunger, how can I be such a
transgressor against the rules of righteousness as to take thy share of
the barley? O auspicious damsel, it behoves thee not to say so, for the
sake of those auspicious results for which every family must strive.[218]
O auspicious damsel, how can I behold thee at even this, the sixth
division of the day, abstaining from food and observing vows? Thou art
endued with purity and good conduct and penances. Alas, even thou hast to
pass thy days in so much misery. Thou art a child, afflicted by hunger,
and belongest to the softer sex. Thou shouldst be always protected by me.
Alas, I have to see thee worn out with fasts, O thou that art the
delighter of all thy kinsmen.'
"'"The daughter-in-law said, 'Thou art the senior of my senior since thou
art the deity of my deity. Thou art verily the god of my god. Do thou,
therefore, O puissant one, take my share of the barley. My body,
life-breaths, and religious rites have all one purpose viz., the service
of my senior. Through thy grace, O learned Brahmana, I shall obtain many
regions of happiness hereafter. I deserve to be looked after by thee.
Know, O regenerate one, that I am wholly devoted to thee. Cherishing also
this thought, viz., that my happiness is thy concern, it behoveth thee to
take this my share of the barley.'
"'"The father-in-law said, 'O chaste lady, in consequence of such conduct
of thine thou wilt for ever shine in glory, for endued with vows and
steadiness in religious rites, thy eyes are directed to that conduct
which should be observed towards seniors. Therefore, O daughter-in-law, I
shall take thy share of the barley. Thou deservest not to be deceived by
me, reckoning all thy virtues. Thou art truly, O blessed damsel, the
foremost of all persons observing the duties of righteousness.' Having
said so unto her, the Brahmana took her share of the barley and gave it
unto his guest. At this the guest became gratified with the high-souled
Brahmana endued with great piety. With gratified soul, that first of
regenerate person
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