Chapter 193

Vaisampayana said, “Then the sons of Pandu again addressed Markandeyasaying, ‘Thou hast told us of greatness of Brahmanas. We desire now tohear of the greatness of the royal Kshatriyas!” Thus addressed by them,the great Rishi Markandeya spoke, ‘Listen now to the greatness of theroyal Kshatriyas. A certain king of the name of Suhotra belonging to theKuru race went on a visit to the great Rishis. And as he was returningfrom that visit, he beheld king Sivi the son of Usinara, seated on hiscar, and as each came before the other, each saluted the other as bestbefitted his age and each regarding himself as the equal of the other inrespect of qualities, refused to give the way to the other. And at thisjuncture Narada appeared there, and beholding what had happened, thecelestial Rishi asked, ‘Why is it that ye both stand here blocking eachother’s way?’ And thus questioned both of them spoke to Narada saying, ‘Oholy one, do not speak so. The sages of old have declared that the wayshould be given to one who is superior or to him that is abler. We,however, that stand blocking each other’s way are equal to each other inevery respect. Judged properly there is no superiority amongst us.’ Thusaddressed by them, Narada recited three slokas. (They are these), ‘O thouof the Kuru race, he that is wicked behaveth wickedly even unto him thatis humble; he also that is humble behaveth with humility and honestlyunto him that is wicked! He that is honest behaveth honestly even towardsthe dishonest. Why should he not behave honestly towards him that ishonest? He that is honest regardeth the service that is done to him, asif it were a hundred times greater than it is. Is this not currentamongst the gods themselves? Certainly it is the royal son of Usinara whois possessed of goodness that is greater than thine. One should conquerthe mean by charity; the untruthful by truth, the man of wicked deeds byforgiveness; and the dishonest by honesty. Both of you are large-hearted.Let one amongst you stand aside, according to the indication of the aboveslokas.’ And having said so Narada became silent, and hearing what Naradahad said the king of the Kuru race walking round Sivi, and praising hisnumerous achievements, gave him the way and went on in his course. It waseven thus that Narada had described the high blessedness of the royalKshatriyas.'”