Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/89

Rh dost thou impute uncleanness to food that is clean, therefore shalt thou be without issue.' And Utanka thereupon rejoined, 'It behoveth thee not, after having offered me unclean food, to curse me in return. Satisfy thyself by occular proof.'

"And Paushya seeing the food alleged to be unclean satisfied himself of its uncleanliness. And Paushya having ascertained that the food was truly unclean, being cold and mixed with hair, prepared as it was by a woman with unbraided hair, began to pacify the Rishi Utanka, saying, 'Sir, the food placed before thee is cold, and doth contain hair, having been prepared without sufficient care. Therefore I pray thee pardon me. Let me not become blind.' And Utanka answered, 'what I say must come to pass. Having become blind, thou mayst, however, recover thy sight before long. Grant that thy curse also doth not take effect on me.' And Paushya said unto him, 'I am unable to revoke my curse. For my wrath even now hath not been appeased. But thou knowest not this. For a Brahmana's heart is soft as butter, even though his words bear a  razor. It is otherwise in respect of these with the Kshetriya. His words are soft as butter, but his heart is as a  tool. Such being the case, I am unable, because of the hardness of my heart, to neutralise my curse. Then go thou thy ways.' To this Utanka made answer, 'I showed thee the uncleanness of the food offered to me, and I was even now pacified by thee. Besides, saidst thou at first that because I imputed uncleanness to food that was clean I should be without issue. But the food being truly unclean, thy curse cannot affect me. Of this I am sure.' And Utanka having said this departed with the

"On the road Utanka perceived coming towards him a naked idle beggar sometimes coming in view and sometimes disappearing. And Utanka, having occasion, put the on the ground and went for water. In the meantime the beggar came quickly to the spot and taking up the  ran away. And Utanka having completed his ablutions in water and purified himself and having also reverently bowed down to the gods and his spiritual masters pursued the thief with the utmost speed. And having with great difficulty over-