lessly.
Hence I see both him and his dog so well-developed!'

"'"Gautama said, 'This man hath not like us only three pieces of covering
made of Kusa grass, and a single Ranku-skin, each of which again, is
three years old. Hence it is that I see both him and his dog so
well-developed!'"

"'Bhishma continued, "The wandering mendicant, beholding those great
Rishis, approached them, and accosted them all by touching their hand
according to the custom. Conversing then with each other about the
difficulty of obtaining sustenance in that forest and the consequent
necessity of bearing the pangs of hunger, all of them left that spot.
Indeed, they wandered through that wilderness, all bent upon a common
purpose, viz., the plucking of fruits and the extraction of roots for
sustenance. One day, as they were wandering they beheld a beautiful lake
overgrown with lotuses. Its banks were covered with trees that stood
thickly near one another. The waters of the lake were pure and
transparent. Indeed, the lotuses that adorned the lake were all of the
hue of the morning sun. The leaves that floated on the water were of the
colour of lapis lazuli. Diverse kinds of aquatic fowls were sporting on
its bosom. There was but one path leading to it. The banks were not miry
and the access to the water was easy. Urged by Vrishadarbhi, the Rakshasi
of frightful mien who had sprung from his incantations and who had been
named Yatudhani, guarded the lake. Those foremost of Rishis, with
Pasusakha in their company, proceeded towards the lake, which was thus
guarded by Yatudhani for the object of gathering some lotus stalks.[421]
Beholding Yatudhani of frightful aspect standing on the banks of the
lake, those great Rishis addressed her, saying, 'Who art thou that thus
standest alone in these solitary woods? For whom dost thou wait here?
What, indeed, is thy purpose? What dost thou do here on the banks of this
lake adorned with lotuses?'

"'"Yatudhani said, 'It matters not who I am. I deserve not to be questioned
(respecting my name and race and purposes). Ye that are possessed of
ascetic wealth, know that I am the guard set to watch this lake.'

"'"The Rishis said, 'All of us are hungry. We have nothing else to eat.
With thy permission we would gather some lotus-stalks!'

"'"Yatudhani said, 'Agreeably with a compact, do ye take the lotus-stalks
as ye please. Ye must, one by one, give me your names. Ye may then,
without delay, take the stalks!'"

"