Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/85

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ADI PARVA.
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preceptor did.' Thus addressed, Upamanyu again said unto them, 'O Aswinas, I crave your pardon. Without offering it to my preceptor I dare not apply this cake.' The Aswinas then said, 'O we are pleased with this devotion of thine to thy preceptor. Thy master's teeth are of black iron. Thine shall be of gold. Thou shalt be restored to sight and shalt have good fortune.'

"Thus spoken to by the Aswinas he recovered his sight, and having gone to his preceptor's presence he saluted him and told him all. And his preceptor was well pleased with him and said unto him, 'Thou shalt obtain prosperity even as the Aswinas have said. All the Vedas shall shine in thee and all the Dharma-shastras.' And this was the trial of Upamanyu.

"Then the other disciple of Ayoda-Dhaumya was called Veda. His preceptor once addressed him, saying, 'Veda, my child, tarry someone in my house and serve thy preceptor. It shall be to thy profit.' And Veda having signified his assent tarried long in the family of his preceptor mindful of serving him. Like an ox under the burthens of his master, he bore heat and cold, hunger and thirst, at all times uncomplainingly. And it was long before his preceptor was satisfied. And as a consequence of that satisfaction, Veda obtained good fortune and universal knowledge. And this was the trial of Veda.

"And Veda, having received permission from his preceptor, and leaving the latter's residence after the completion of his studies, entered the domestic mode of life. And while living in his own house, he got three pupils. And he never told them to perform any work or to obey implicitly his own behests; for having experienced himself much woe while abiding in the family of his preceptor, he liked not to treat them with severity.

"After a certain time, Janamejaya and Paushya, both of the order of Kshetrias, arriving at his residence appointed the Brahmana, Veda, as their spiritual guide (Upadhyaya). And one day while about to depart upon some business relative to a sacrifice, he employed one of his disciples, Utanka, to take charge of his household. 'Utanka,' said he, 'whatsoever should have to be done in my house, let it be done by thee