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variety of virtuous qualities. If that limit is any how transgressed, all salutary activities are also stopped." On hearing the words of the cow spoken to the calf with a distinct aim, Vaisyayana with a doubt in his mind immediately thought Ah! In the first place it is very strange that although both of these animals are brutes they talk in a tongue peculiar to human beings. Besides, their words indicate a guilt regarding sexual intercourse with my own mother, and where am I? How is cohabitation possible? All this is, alas! extremely improbable. Or, there must be some motive in this The doings of Fate are manifold. Everything is possible. Let me, therefore, go to the prostitute, and let me ask her all these matters in detail.' With this idea in his mind, Vaisyäyana went 10 the house of the prostitute. The prostitute advanced forward to receive him; she gave him a comfortable seat, and she washed his feet. After mutual conversation for a moment, Vaisyāyana seized an opportunity of asking her:-"O good woman! Let me know. Where were you born She laughingly replied, Where so many persons are living.' Vaisyayana said,
There is no need for ridicule. I want to ask you with some definite object." She answered You seem to be foolish Neither an excellent inan, nor a king, nor a sage, nor a courtezan, should be questioned about his family-birth with any pertinacity. What skill is there in asking such things Just as a lotus springs up from mire, the moon from the sea, a red-lotus from cowdung, tire from wood, a gem from the hood of a cobra, silk from worms. gold from stones, and just as dūrvā (a kind of millet-grass, is produced from cow's hair, in the same way, a gunin (one possessing a quality) becomes manifest by the appearance of toat peculiar quality. What about family of birth? What is the use of having a suspicion about it? With these words, the prostitute began to show coquetry in shape of affectionate behaviour towards him. Vaigya yana told her :-"I shall give still more wealth. Tell me the true fact in the name of your elders. Do not tell a lie," Under her entire pressure from Vaisyāyana, the prostitute told him account from the very beginning. On hearing it,
Vaisyayana
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