National Epics by Kate Milner Rabb
page 68 of 525 (12%)
page 68 of 525 (12%)
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The ascending smoke aside, and all the fruits
Of offering, and the merit of the prayer Of him whom a hound toucheth. Leave it here! He that will enter Heaven must enter pure. Why didst thou quit thy brethren on the way, And Krishna, and the dear-loved Draupadi, Attaining firm and glorious to this Mount Through perfect deeds, to linger for a brute? Hath Yudhi-sthira vanquished self, to melt With one pure passion at the door of bliss? Stay'st thou for this, who did not stay for them,-- Draupadi, Bhima?" But the King yet spake: "'T is known that none can hurt or help the dead. They, the delightful ones, who sank and died. Following my footsteps, could not live again Though I had turned--therefore I did not turn; But could help profit, I had stayed to help. There be four sins, O Sakra, grievous sins: The first is making suppliants despair, The second is to slay a nursing wife, The third is spoiling Brahmans' goods by force, The fourth is injuring an ancient friend. These four I deem not direr than the crime, If one, in coming forth from woe to weal, Abandon any meanest comrade then." Straight as he spake, brightly great Indra smiled; Vanished the hound, and in its stead stood there |
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