ing alms, I shall then go without food. I shall rather stint myself than beg more than once of the same person. If I do not obtain anything after completing my round of seven or ten houses, moved by covetousness I shall not enlarge my round. Whether I obtain or fail to obtain alms, I shall be equally unmoved like a great ascetic. One lopping off an arm of mine with an hatchet, and one smearing another with sandal-paste, shall be regarded by me equally. I shall not wish prosperity to the one or misery to the other. I shall not be pleased with life or displeased with death. I shall neither desire to live nor to die. Washing my heart of all sins, I shall certainly transcend those sacred rites productive of happiness that men perform in auspicious moments, days, and periods. I shall also abstain from all acts of religion and profit and also those that lead to the gratification of the senses. And freed from all sins and snares of the world, I shall be like the wind subject to none. Treading in the path of fearlessness and bearing myself in this way I shall at last lay down my life. Destitute of the power of begetting children, firmly adhering to the line of duty I shall not certainly deviate therefrom in order to tread in the vile path of the world that is so full of misery. Whether respected or disrespected in the world, that man who from covetousness casteth on others a begging look, certainly behaveth like a dog. (Destitute as I am of the power of procreation, I should not certainly, from desire of offspring, solicit others to give me children.)'"
Vaisampayana continued, "The king having wept thus in sorrow, with a sigh looked at his two wives Kunti and Madri, and addressing them said, 'Let the princess of Koshala (my mother), Vidura, the king with our friends, the venerable Satyavati, Bhisma, the priests of our family, illustrious Soma-drinking Brahmanas of rigid vows, and all other elderly aitizens depending on us, be all informed, after being prepared for it, that Pandu hath retired into the woods to lead a life of asecticism.' Hearing these words of their lord who had fixed his heart upon leading a life of asceticism in the woods, both Kunti and Madri addressed him in these proper
