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LECTURE xxv.
137
The priest wanted to turn the approaching monk off: 'I shall not give you alms, mendicant, beg somewhere else. (6)
Priests who are versed in the Vedas and are chaste as behoves offerers, who are versed in the Gyộtishangal and are well grounded in the sacrificial science, who are able to save themselves and others, such priests ought to be presented with food and all they desire.' (7, 8)
When the great sage was thus refused by the priest, he was neither angry nor pleased, as he always strove for the highest good. (9)
Not to obtain food, or drink, or whatever else he wanted, but to save these people he spoke the following words : (10)
“You do not know what is most essential 2 in the Vêdas, nor in sacrifices, nor in the heavenly bodies 3, nor in duties 4. (11)
“Nor do you know those who are able to save themselves and others; but if you do, then speak out!" (12)
The priest did not make a reply to defend himself against his insinuation ; but he and all there assembled joined their hands and questioned the great sage: (13)
'Tell us the most essential subject in the Vedas, and tell us what is most essential in the sacrifice ;
It is worthy of note that, according to the opinion of our author, the knowledge of astronomy, as taught in the Gyótisha, was one of the principal accomplishments of a priest. This quality of a priest must therefore have been more conspicuous to an outsider than Brâhmanical books would make us believe.
2 To render muha = mukha. -- - 3 Nakshatra.
4 Dharma.
