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कीटोपाख्यान (kITopAkhyAna)

 
Mahabharata
English
[Kīṭopākhyāna] (“the episode relating to the worm”). § 762b (Ānuśāsanik.). Bhīshma said: In days of old, when the emancipated (Brahmabhūtaḥ) brahman Vyāsa roamed over the world, he saw a worm speedily moving on a chariot-road. Asked by Vyāsa, who was omniscient and knew the language of every animal, the worm said that it was running away from a large cart, lest it should be killed
every creature, in whatever situation it may be placed, becomes attached to it
“in even this order of being I am happy, I think, and wish to live”
in his former life he was a cruel Śūdra, a usurer, etc., never dedicating food to D. and P., etc. (description)
he now was filled with repentance and grief
he had, however, worshipped his old mother, and once showed hospitality to a brahman
in consequence thereof the memory had not forsaken him, and he thought he should once more regain happiness (XIII, 117). Vyāsa said: “It is the consequence of a meritorious act of mine that thou art not stupefied
in consequence of my penances I am able to rescue a being of demerit by the simply granting him sight of my person
there is no stronger power than that of penances. Thou mayst again attain to righteousness and merit
the state of a worm is really fraught with great misery. The superior brahman worships the Sun and the Moon uttering mantras
when thou hast attained to that state, I shall impart to thee Bráhman.” The worm remained and was killed by the cart. He was reborn in diverse orders of being, such as a porcupine, Iguana, boar, deer, bird, Cāṇḍāla, Śūdra, and Vaiśya. Born at last as a Kshatriya (with Kāmboja steeds, Sūtas and Māgadhas, etc.
description) through the grace of Vyāsa, he came and worshipped him. Vyāsa said that the sin of his former life had yet not been destroyed
he should become a brahman by giving up his life on the field of battle for the sake of cows or brahmans
performing many sacrifices he should attain to heaven, and after emancipation (Brahma-bhūtaḥ) he should enjoy eternal happiness. The ascending order of transmigration is: († v. 5774) animal &gt
Śūdra &gt
Vaiśya &gt
Kshatriya &gt
Brahman &gt
Svarga (XIII, 118). He betook himself to severe austerities
Vyāsa went to him and said that the penances of the Kshatriyas consist in the protection of all creatures
thereby he should attain to the state of a brahman. Then he protected his subjects righteously, and after death became a brahman. Vyāsa came and told him not to fear death, but only the loss of righteousness. He caused the earth to be marked with 100 sacrificial stakes, and then obtained a residence in the region of Brahmán himself, and obtained the eternal Bráhman by his own acts, according to the words of Vyāsa. Also the Kshatriyas, who have been slain [on the field of Kurukshetra], have attained to a meritorious end (gatiṃ puṇyāṃ)
therefore, do not mourn on their account” (XIII, 119).