f Brahmanas according to thy
instructions in that respect!' And when she had thus spoken at length,
the king embraced and cheered her, and instructed her in detail as to
what should be done by her. And the king said, 'Thou shall, O gentle
maid, act even thus, without fear, for my good as also thy own, and for
the good of thy race also, O thou of faultless limbs!' And having said
this the illustrious Kuntibhoja, who was devoted to the Brahmanas, made
over the girl Pritha to that Brahmana, saying, 'This my daughter, O
Brahmana, is of tender age and brought up in luxury. If, therefore, she
transgresses at any time, do thou not take that to heart! Illustrious
Brahmanas are never angry with old men, children, and ascetics, even if
these transgress frequently. In respect of even a great wrong
forgiveness is due from the regenerate. The worship, therefore, O best
of Brahmanas, that is offered to the best of one's power and exertion,
should be acceptable!' Hearing these words of the monarch, the Brahmana
said, 'So be it!' Thereupon, the king became highly pleased and assigned
unto him apartments that were white as swans or the beams of the moon.
And in the room intended for the sacrificial fire, the king placed a
brilliant seat especially constructed for him. And the food and other
things that were offered unto the Brahmana were of the same excellent
kind. And casting aside idleness and all sense of self-importance, the
princess addressed herself with right good will to wait upon the
Brahmana. And the chaste Kunti, endued with purity of conduct, went
thither for serving the Brahmana. And duly waiting upon that Brahmana as
if he were a very god, she gratified him highly."

SECTION CCCIII

Vaisampayana said, "And that maiden of rigid vows, O mighty monarch, by
serving with a pure heart, that Brahmana of rigid vows, succeeded in
gratifying him. And, O foremost of kings, saying, 'I will come back in
the morning,' that best of Brahmanas sometimes came in the evening or in
night. Him, however, the maiden worshipped at all hours with sumptuous
food and drink and bed. And as day after day passed away, her attentions
to him, in respect of food and seat and bed, increased instead of
undergoing any diminution. And, O king, even when the Brahmana reproved
her, finding fault with any of her arrangements, or addressed her in
harsh words, Pritha did not do anything that was disagreeable to him.
And on many occasions the Brahmana came back