about. We have heard that thou didst repeatedly make gifts unto the
Brahmanas of hundreds upon hundreds of thousands and once again eight
times hundreds upon hundreds of ten thousands of kine.[351] Why,
therefore, has this end overtaken thee?' Nriga then replied unto Krishna,
saying, 'On one occasion a cow belonging to a Brahmana who regularly
worshipped his domestic fire, escaping from the owner's abode while he
was absent from home entered my flock. The keepers of my cattle included
that cow in their tale of a thousand. In time that cow was given away by
me unto a Brahmana, acting as I did from desire of happiness in heaven.
The true owner, returning home, sought for his lost cow and at last saw
it in the house of another. Finding her, the owner said, "This cow is
mine!" The other person contested his claim, till both, disputing and
excited with wrath, came to me. Addressing me one of them said, "Thou
hast been the giver of this cow!" The other one said, "Thou hast robbed
me of this cow--she is mine!" I then solicited the Brahmana unto whom I
had given that cow, to return the gift in exchange for hundreds upon
hundreds of other kine. Without acceding to my earnest solicitations, he
addressed me, saying. "The cow I have got is well-suited to time and
place. She yields a copious measure of milk, besides being very quiet and
very fond of us. The milk she yields is very sweet. She is regarded as
worthy of every praise in my house. She is nourishing, besides, a weak
child of mine that has just been weaned. She is incapable of being given
up by me." Having said these words, the Brahmana went away. I then
solicited the other Brahmana offering him an exchange, and saying, "Do
thou take a hundred thousand kine for this one cow." The Brahmana,
however, replied unto me, saying, "I do not accept gifts from persons of
the kingly order. I am able to get on without help. Do thou then, without
loss of time, give me that very cow which was mine." Even thus, O slayer
of Madhu, did that Brahmana speak unto me. I offered to make gifts unto
him of gold and silver and horses and cars. That foremost of Brahmanas
refused to accept any of these as gift and went away. Meanwhile, urged by
time's irresistible influence, I had to depart from this world. Wending
to the region of the Pitris I was taken to the presence of the king of
the dead. Worshipping me duly Yama addressed me, saying, "The end cannot
be ascertained, O king, of thy deed. There is