“Yudhisthira said, ‘I wish to know, O royal sage, whether any fault isincurred by one who from interested or disinterested friendship impartsinstructions unto a person belonging to a low order of birth! Ograndsire, I desire to hear this, expounded to me in detail.
“Bhishma said, ‘After that night had passed away and that best ofBrahmanas had left the house, Gautama, issuing from his abode, began toproceed towards the sea, O Bharata!
“Bhishma said, ‘Hearing these sweet words, Gautama became filled withwonder. Feeling at the same time a great curiosity, he eyed Rajadharmanwithout being able to withdraw his gaze from him.’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Who are deserving of worship? Who are they unto whomone may bow? Who are they, O Bharata, unto whom thou wouldst bend thyhead?
“Bhishma said, ‘Led into a spacious apartment, Gautama was introduced tothe king of the Rakshasas.
“Bhishma said, ‘There, under that banian, for the protection of hisguest, the prince of birds had kindled and kept up a fire with high andblazing flames.[496] On one side of the fire, the bird slept trustfully.
“Bhishma said, ‘The Rakshasa king then caused a funeral pyre to be madefor that prince of cranes and adorned it with jewels and gems, andperfumes, and costly robes.
“YUDHISHTHIRA SAID, ‘THOU hast, O grandsire, discoursed upon theauspicious duties (of person in distress) connected with the duties ofkings. It behoveth thee now, O king, to tell me those foremost of dutieswhich belong to those who lead the (four) modes of life.’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Time, which is destructive of every created thing,is passing on.[512] Tell me, O grandsire, what is that good thing whichshould be sought.’
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, whence and how happiness andmisery come to those that are rich, as also those that are poor, but wholive in the observance of different practices and rites.'[521]
