king Jarasandha, O thou of the Kuru race, firmly devoted to truth,
censuring the disguised guests, said unto them,--'It is well known to me
that in the whole world Brahmanas in the observance of Snataka vow never
deck their persons with garlands and fragrant paste unseasonably. Who are
ye, therefore, thus decked with flowers, and with hands bearing the marks
of the bow-string? Attired in coloured robes and decked unseasonably with
flowers and paste, ye give me to understand that ye are Brahmanas,
although ye bear Kshatriya energy. Tell me truly who ye are. Truth decks
even kings. Breaking down the peak of the Chaityaka hill, why have ye, in
disguise, entered (the city) by an improper gate without fear of the royal
wrath? The energy of a Brahmana dwelleth in his speech, (not in act). This
your feat is not suited to the order to which ye profess to belong. Tell
us therefore, the end ye have in view. Arrived here by such an improper
way, why accept ye not the worship I offer? What is your motive for coming
to me?' Thus addressed by the king, the high-souled Krishna, well-skilled
in speech, thus replied unto the monarch in a calm and grave voice.

"Krishna said,--'O king, know us for Snataka Brahmanas. Brahmanas and
Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are all, O monarch, competent to observe the vow
of Snataka. This vow, besides, hath (many) especial and general rules. A
Kshatriya observing this vow with especial rules always achieve prosperity.
Therefore, have we decked ourselves with flowers. Kshatriyas again, O king,
exhibit their energy by their arms and not in speech. It is, therefore, O
son of Vrihadratha, that the speeches uttered by a Kshatriya are never
audacious. O monarch, the creator hath planted his own energy in the aim
of the Kshatriya. If thou wishest to behold it, thou shalt certainly
behold it today. These are the rules of the ordinance, viz., that an
enemy's abode should be entered through a wrong gate and a friend's abode
through the right one. And know, O monarch, that this also is our eternal
vow that having entered the foe's abode for the accomplishment of our