________________
Meeting Narad
"And then I narrated to my teacher all the thoughts that had occurred to me in the forest. After hearing what I said he was pleased and his face became cheerful. He seemed to have been greatly delighted. Actually, he had made the cocks out of wheat flour and had filled them with lac. He said in a lofty manner.
"Excellent! Really admirable ! You have done only what a noble pupil should do", and at once he embraced me joyfully. He affectionately placed his hand over my head; and blessed me heartily. He decided. "Whatever it may be this pupil of mine is going to attain heavenly existence".
Meanwhile, Prince Vasu and Parvat, the son of the teacher came. They saluted the teacher prostrating before him and said. "Revered sir! We have killed the cocks as cómmanded by
you."
173
"But you had to kill them in a place where none could see your action of killing them."
We killed our cocks in a place where no
"Yes sir! Yes! one could see us".
"Oh you sinners! Don't you see with your eyes your action? Are there not countless stars and gods watching your action? Was not your action of killing them, seen by these? Was it concealed from their eyes". The teacher rebuked them using strong language.
Acharya Kshirakadamba was greatly agitated and grieved over their action. His anguish, as he contemplated on their future, knew no bounds. At once, he realized that those two would surely go to hell. He thought of the words of the Munis and when he did so, he felt greatly shocked as if he had been struck by a thunder-bolt. He was deeply worried; and he began to scrutinize his inner self: He thought, "What is the use of my educating them? It is a waste. They have been merely studying; but they have not been able to understand the real meaning.. the inner meaning of knowledge. It has been well said "What is taught by the teacher shows its effect only in accordance with
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