Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/205

Rh of face as handsome as moon, the place where thou hadst resided, viz.. the body of Kavya, hath also been my abode ! Thou art truly my sister! Therefore, O slender-waisted one, say so! Amiable one, happily have we passed the days that we have been together. There is perfect good understanding between us. I ask thy leave to return to my abode ! Therefore, bless me so that my journey may be safe! I must be remembered by thee, when thou recallest me in connection with topics of conversation, as one that hath not transgressed virtue I Always attend upon my preceptor with readiness and singleness of heart!' To all this, Devayani answered, 'Solicited by me, if, indeed, thou truly refusest to make me thy wife, then, O Kacha, this thy knowledge sball not bear fruit !'"

"Hearing this, Kacha said, 'I have refused thy request only because thou art the daughter of my preceptor, and not because thou hast any fault! Nor hath my preceptor in this respect issued any command, Curse me if it please thee! I have told thee what the behaviour should be of a Rishi. I do not deserve thy curse, O Devayani. But yet thou hast cursed me! Thou hast acted under the influence of passion and not from a sense of duty. Therefore, thy desire not be fulfilled. No Rishi's son shall ever accept thy band in marriage. Thou hast said that pyy knowledge shall not bear fruit. Let it be so. But in respect of him it shall bear fruit to whom I may impart it!'"

Vaisampayana continued, "That first of Brahmanas, Kacha. having said so unto Devayani speedily wended unto the abode of the chief of the celestials. Beholding him arrived, the celestials with Indra ahead, baving first worshipped him spoke unto him as follows :-"Thou hast, indeed, performed an act of great benefit for us. Wonderful hath been thy achievement! Thy fame shall never die! Thou shalt be a sharer with us in sacrificial offerings."

Thus ends the seventy-seventh section in the Shambhava Parva of the Adi Parva,

Vaisam payana said, "The dwellers in heaven became exceedingly glad in welcoming Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science. And, O bull of Bharata's face, the celestials then learnt that science from Kacha and considered their object already achieved. And asseni