-The monarch, however, without listening to her cries cruelly devoured her husband like a tiger devouring its desirable prey. Possessed with wrath at this sight, the tears that woman shed blazed up like fire and consumed everything in that place. Afflicted with grief at the calamity that overtook her lord, the Brahmani in anger cursed the royal sage, Kalmashapada, saying.- Vile wretch, since thou hast to-day cruelly devoured under my very nose my illustrious husband dear unto me, even before my desires have been gratified, therefore shalt thou, O wicked one afflicted by my curse, meet with instant death when thou goest in into thy wife in season! And thy wife, O wretch, shall bring forth a son uniting herself with that Rishi Vasistha whose children have been devoured by thee ! And that child, 0 worst of king, shall be the perpetuator of thy face And cursing the monarch thus, that lady of Angira's house bearing every auspicious mark, entered the blazing fire in the very sight of the monarch. And, O thou oppressor of all foes, the illustrious and exalted Vasistha by his ascetic power and spiritual insight immediately knew all. And long after this, when the king became freed from his curse, he approached his wife Madayanti when her season came. But Madayanti softly sent him away. Under the influence of passion the monarch had no recollection of that curse. Hearing, however, the words of his wife, the best of kings became terribly alarmed. And recollecting the curse he repented bitterly of what he had done. It was for this reason, thou best of men, that the monarch infected with the Brahmani's curse, appointed Vasistha to beget a son upon his queen.'"
Thus ends the hundred and eighty-fourth section in the Chaitraratha Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION CLXXXV
(Chaitra-ratha Parva continued)
"Arjuna asked,-'O Gandharva, thou art acquainted with every. thing! Tell us, therefore, which Veda knowing Brahmana is worthy to be appointed as our priest I
"The Gandharva replied, -'There is in these woods a shrine of the name of Utkochaka Dhaumya, the younger brother of Devala is engaged there in ascetic penances. Appoint him, if ye desire, your priest!"
Vaisampayana said, "Then Arjuna, highly pleased with everything that had happened, gave unto that Gandharva, his weapon of fire with befitting ceremonies. And addressing him, the Pandava also said, -'O
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