May 14, 2023 — INDIA (SUN) —
Maharaja Yudhisthira next asked, "Bhishma, what is the duty of a brahmana during a period of total irreligiosity, when thieves run rampant and anarchy prevails?"
In reply, Bhishma related the following history.
Once, during the transitional period between the end of Treta-yuga and the beginning of Dvapara-yuga, a frightful drought took place that lasted for twelve years. At this time, there was not even a dew drop, and so what to speak of a gathering of clouds in the sky. The greatest of rivers shrank to mere streams, and all of the lakes and wells disappeared. Due to scarcity of water, the entire surface of the Earth appeared extremely desolate. What to speak of others, even brahmanas became so disturbed that they gave up the performance of their religious duties.
Agriculture and cow protection were abandoned completely. Everywhere, shops remained closed. Heaps of bones were seen wherever the eye would turn, and the shrill cries of carnivorous birds and beasts were all that could be heard. Elderly persons were forcibly thrown out of their houses. Towns gradually became abandoned. Cows, goats, sheep and buffalos fought with one another for food and the citizens became easy prey for dacoits.
All vegetation gradually dried up, so that the entire Earth became bereft of her natural beauty. Ultimately, as men began to go mad because of hunger, they ate one another out of desperation. Even the rishis abandoned their vows and left their ashrams, to wander over the Earth in search of food.
One such rishhi was Vishvamitra. After leaving his wife and son at home, he wandered here and there, greatly afflicted by hunger. He no longer considered which food was clean or unclean.
One day, Vishvamitra came to a small village in the middle of a forest that was inhabited by cruel hunters. Dog skins were spread everywhere, and bones and skulls had been gathered in heaps. The inhabitants of this village filled the air with the sounds of their harsh voices as they engaged in quarreling among themselves. Packs of dogs were seen loitering on all sides.
Being extremely famished, Vishvamitra entered the village in search of something to eat. And yet, even though he begged from door to door, no one was willing to give him anything. Finally, the rishi exclaimed, "Oh! How much distress has overcome me!" Then, he fell to the ground due to weakness. While laying there, Vishvamitra began to think, "What can I do to avoid death by starvation?"
Just then, Vishvamitra spied the meat of a freshly killed dog, lying on the floor of one of the chandala's huts. After due consideration, the rishi decided to steal the meat, knowing that any act becomes permissible for the purpose of saving one's life. The principle is: In times of dire necessity, one should first try to steal from a low person, then an equal, and only as a last resort should he steal from an elevated person.
Having made up his mind in this way, Vishvamitra slept for awhile. Then, when night had fallen and all of the villagers were in bed, he got up and stealthily entered the chandala's hut. Although lying down, the chandala had not yet fallen asleep. He angrily addressed the intruder: "I will kill whoever has illegally entered my house!"
Vishvamitra was very ashamed at having been caught in the act. In response, he fearfully identified himself and said, "Hunter, I had attempted this desperate act because I am on the verge of death due to hunger. Please do not kill me."
Upon hearing that it was an illustrious rishi who he had threatened, the chandala also became fearful. After quickly getting up from bed, he approached Vishvamitra with folded hands. With tears in his eyes, the chandala respectfully said, "Great sage, please forgive me. I did not know that you are a brahmana. Now, please tell me what you want."
Vishvamitra replied, "My dear hunter, being driven by extreme hunger, I had wanted to steal your dog meat. Hunger has already destroyed all of my righteousness, and so I have given up all consideration as to what food is to be eaten and what is not."
Desiring to preserve Vishvamitra's ascetic merit, the chandala implored, "My dear sir, please do not degrade yourself by eating dog meat. Instead, look for some other food."
Vishvamitra replied, "I have not eaten anything for a very long time and I do not see any other food available. For the preservation of my life, I am justified in adopting any means, without consideration of propriety. I beg you to allow me to eat some of your dog meat. With the extended duration of life that I gain, I will be able to perform austerities that will burn to ashes any circumstantial sinful reactions I may have incurred."
Still, the chandala tried to dissuade Vishvamitra, He considered dog meat to be unfit for a brahmana's consumption. Finally, the rishi pleaded, "I have no other alternative. In my helpless condition, this dog meat appears just like nectar."
The chandala said, "Venerable rishi, according to shastra, a brahm-ana is allowed to eat only five kinds of five-clawed animals."
Vishvamitra argued, "You must have heard how the great rishi Agastya had eaten the Asura, Vatapi. Now, in a similarly distressed condition, I will eat this dog meat."
The chandala said, "I feel that it is my duty to try as hard as possible to save you from falling from the path of religious principles. It is only for this reason that I have been arguing with you."
Vishvamitra replied, "You should not be so self-righteous, thinking that you can instruct a brahmana on the subject of morality!"
At this, the chandala retorted, "I am not willing to voluntarily give you this dog meat, for I will become implicated in your sinful act. Indeed, I might very well attain a hellish destination in my next life, along with you."
In this way, the discussion continued for some time. The chandala refused to admit that Vishvamitra could eat the dog's flesh without incurring a sinful reaction. At last, however, the chandala became silent, and so Vishvamitra took the dog meat, which consisted of its haunches- the lowest and most unclean portion of that animal.
Vishvamitra hurried home, desiring to share the meat with his wife and child, after cooking it and duly offering it in sacrifice to the demigods. When he arrived home, Vishvamitra ignited the sacrificial fire and then divided the meat into portions for offering to the demigods and Pitris. Just at that time, Indra resumed pouring rain, so that in a very short time the Earth once again became covered with vegetation. Still, after completing his rituals, Vishvamitra ate the meat and then returned to his life of austerities, burning up any sinful contamination that he had incurred.
