Chapter 40

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Devaki’s son Janardana of universal knowledgeaddressed king Yudhishthira who stood there with his brothers, saying,’In this world, O sire, Brahmanas are always the objects of worship withme. They are gods on earth having poison in their speech, and areexceedingly easy to gratify. Formerly, in the Krita age, O king, aRakshasa of the name of Charvaka, O mighty-armed one, performed austerepenances for many years in Vadari. Brahman repeatedly solicited him toask for boons. At last the Rakshasa solicited the boon, O Bharata, ofimmunity from fear at the hand of every being in the universe. The Lordof the universe gave that high boon of immunity from fear at the hands ofall creatures, subject to the only limitation that he should be carefulof how he offended the Brahmanas. Having obtained that boon, the sinfuland mighty Rakshasa of fierce deeds and great prowess began to give painto the gods. The gods, persecuted by the might of the Rakshasa,assembling together, approached Brahman, for compassing their foe’sdestruction. The eternal and unchangeable god answered them, O Bharata,saying, ‘I have already arranged the means by which the death of thisRakshasa may soon be brought about. There will be a king of the name ofDuryodhana. Among men, he will be the friend of this wight. Bound byaffection towards him, the Rakshasa will insult the Brahmanas. Stung bythe wrong he will inflict upon them, the Brahmanas, whose might consistsin speech, will in wrath censure him at which he will meet withdestruction. Even that Rakshasa Charvaka, O foremost of kings, slain bythe curse of the Brahmanas, lies there deprived of life. Do not, O bullof Bharata’s race, give way to grief. The kinsmen, O king, have allperished in the observance of Kshatriya duties. Those butts amongKshatriyas, those high-souled heroes, have all gone to heaven. Do thouattend to thy duties now. O thou of unfading glory, let no grief bethine. Stay thy foes, protect thy subjects, and worship the Brahmanas.'”