voured to extract it from his body. But not succeeding therein, he cut it off at the point just outside the body. The Muni with a portion of the stake within his body walked about, and in that state practised the austerest penances and conquered numberless regions unattainable by others. And for the circumstance of a part of the stake being within his body, he came to be known in the three worlds by the name of Ani-mandavya (Mandavya with a stake within). And one day that Brahmana acqainted with the highest truths of religion went unto the abode of the god of justice. And beholding there the god seated on her throne, the Rishi reproached him and said, 'What, pray, is that sinful act committed by me unconsciously, for which I am bearing this punishment? O tell me soon, and behold the power of my asceticism!'
"The god of justice, thus questioned, replied, saying, 'O thou of ascetic wealth, a little insect was by thee once pierced with a blade of grass. Thou bearest now the consequence of that act. As, O Rishi, a gift, however small, multiplieth in respect of its religious merits, so a sinful act multiplieth in respect of the woe it bringeth in its train.' Hearing this, Animandavya asked, 'O, tell me truly when was this act committed by me.' Told in reply by the god of justice that he had committed it when a child, the Rishi said, 'That shall not be sin which may be done by a child up to the twelfth year of his age from birth. The shastras shall not recognise it as sinful. The punishment thou hast inflicted on me for such a venial offence hath been disproportionate in severity. The killing of a Brahmana involves a sin that is heavier than the killing of any other living being. Thou shalt, therefore, O god of justice, have to be born among men even in the Sudra order! And from this day, I establish this limit in respect of the consequences of acts that an act shall not be sinful when committed by one below the age of fourteen years. But when committed by one above that age, it shall be regarded as sin.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Cursed for this fault by that illustrious Rishi, the god of justice took his birth as Vidura
