the wide-extending cleft of Gadura's mouth open to receive them. And then the hungry lord of all rangers of the skies, the oppressor of enemies, endued with great strength, and moving with the greatest activity to achieve his end, cloesd his mouth killing innumerable Nishadas following the occupation of fishermen."
And so ends the twenty-eighth Section in the Astika of the Adi Parva.
Section XXIX.
(Astika Parva continued.)
Sauti continued, "A certain Brahmana with his wife had entered the throat of the ranger of the skies. And the former thereupon began to burn the bird's throat like flaming charcoal. And him Gadura addressed, saying, 'O thou best of Brahmanas, come out soon from my mouth which I open for thee. A Brahmana must never be slain by me although he may be always engaged in sinful practices.' And to Gadura who had thus addressed him, that Brahmana said, 'O let this woman of the Nishada caste who is my wife come out with me!' And Gadura said, 'Taking the woman also of the Nishada caste with thee, come out soon. Save thyself without delay inasmuch as thou hast not yet been digested by the heat of my stomach.'"
Sauti continued, "And then that Brahmana accompanied by his wife of the Nishada caste came out, and eulogising Gadura wended whithersoever he liked. And upon that Brahmana coming out with his wife, that lord of birds, fleet as the mind, stretching his wings ascended the skies. And he then saw his father; and hailed by him, Gadura of incomparable prowess made proper answers. And the great Rishi (Kasyapa) then asked him, 'O child, is it well with thee? Dost thou get sufficient food every day? Is there food in plenty for thee in the world of men?'
"And Gadura replied, 'My mother is ever well. And so my brother, and so am I. But, father, I do not always obtain plenty of food for which my peace is incomplete. I am sent by the snakes to fetch the excellent amrita (Soma). And,
