Chapter 194

Markandeya continued, “Listen now to another story. One day as kingYayati, the son of Nahusha, was sitting on his throne, surrounded by thecitizens, there came unto him a Brahmana desirous of soliciting wealthfor his preceptor, and approaching the king, the Brahmana said, ‘O king,I beg of thee wealth for my preceptor according to my covenant.’ And theking said, ‘O Holy One, tell me what thy covenant is.’ And thereupon theBrahmana said, ‘O king, in this world when men are asked for alms, theyentertain contempt for him that asketh it. I therefore, ask thee, O king,with what feelings thou wilt give me what I ask and upon which I have setmy heart.’ And the king replied saying, ‘Having given away a thing, Inever boast of it. I never also listen to solicitations for things thatcannot be given. I listen, however, to prayers for things that can begiven and giving them away I always become happy. I will give thee athousand kine. The Brahmana that asks me for a gift is always dear to me.I am never angry with the person that begs of me and I am never sorry forhaving given away a thing!’ And the Brahmana then obtained from the kinga thousand kine and went away.”