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his killing the bird. And now this butcher selling meat was telling
him that the lady had sent him. So, he felt, all these were great
persons. With folded hands he requested Dharmavyadha, “Sir,
reveal to me the mysteries of Dharma”.
Not to be republished
5. Dharmavyadha replied, “Sir, you are well versed in Vedic lore. How
can I enlighten you? I can only tell you about the path I follow.
To engage oneself in one’s inherent duty, to be truthful, to be
patient and merciful, not to be elated in happiness or depressed
©KTBS
in difficulties, to be engaged in prayer and tapas, to appreciate the
good qualities in others, not to boast, to have bath in sacred rivers,
to visit holy places and to serve our parents, and the guru who has
bestowed knowledge on us, this is Dharma; these are the mysteries
of Dharma.”

6. “I follow the hereditary profession of selling meat, but I kill no
animals. I do not cheat in business. So far as I know, I have never
uttered a lie, I have no enemies. More than all these, I serve my
aged parents with devotion. Their blessings are my shield”.

7. He then took Kaushika home and showed him his parents and
prostrated before them. Kaushika also bowed to the aged couple.
He then bowed to Dharmavyadha and said, “Sir, my arrogance
evaporated today. I was conceited, imagining that I am the only
learned person. I have forsaken my aged parents and caused them
grief. My eyes are opened now. I now realize that my ‘Dharma’ is to
serve my parents. I shall join them and make them happy. I will
try to cultivate the virtues you told me about”. He returned home.
Thereafter, he spent his days in the service of his parents and in
teaching others the Vedic lore he had mastered.

8. After narrating this story Sage Markandeya said, “Yudhishtira, in
every division of people, there are enlightened souls who can guide
even scholars and masters of Vedic teachings”.

glossary :
proficient : learned
surpass : beat
stunned : shocked
depressed : very sad
grief : sorrow
cultivate : learn

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