The Brahmin And His Faithful Ichneumon Part 2

Question 1

ततस्तेन नकुलेन बालकसमीपमागच्छता कृष्णसर्पो दृष्टो व्यापादितश्च । अथासौ नकुलो ब्रह्मणमायान्तमवलोक्य रक्तविलिप्तमुखपादः सत्वरमुपागम्य तस्य चरणयोर्लुलोठ । ततोऽसौ ब्राह्मणस्तं तथाविधं दृष्ट्वा मम पुत्रोऽनेन भक्षित इत्यवधार्य व्यापादितवान् । अनन्तरं यावदसावुपसृत्य पश्यति ब्राह्मणस्तावद्बालकः सुस्थः सर्पश्च व्यापादितस्तिष्ठति । ततस्तमुपकारकमेव नकुलं निरूप्य विभावितकृत्यः संतप्तचेताः स परं विषादमगमत् । अतोऽहं ब्रवीमि ।

Answer 1

After that, by that mongoose, who was coming in the vicinity of the child, a black snake was seen and killed. Then, that mongoose, with his face and paws smeared with blood, seeing the Brahmin coming, quickly approached and rolled at his feet. After that, the Brahmin, seeing him in such a state, concluded, “My son has been eaten by the mongoose,” and killed him. Afterwards, having approached, the Brahmin saw the child was perfectly healthy and the dead snake was lying there [on the ground.] Thereupon, realising that mongoose was verily a helper, he whose action was rashly provoked and whose mind was grief stricken was filled with the greatest depression. And hence I say:

Question 2

य् अतोऽहं ब्रवीमि ।ओऽर्थतत्त्वमविज्ञाय क्रोधस्यैव वशं गतः ।

स तथा तप्यते मूढो ब्राह्मणो नकुलाद्यथा ॥

Answer 2

He who, not understanding the true cause of a situation, falls under the influence of anger, he is a fool who is tormented, like the Brahmin from the mongoose.