Mahabharata 12.113.2

12.113.2

bhīṣma uvāca |
hanta te'haṃ pravakṣyāmi śṛṇu kāryaikaniścayam |
yathā rājñeha kartavyaṃ yacca kṛtvā sukhī bhavet || 2 ||

"Bhishma said, 'I shall tell thee what thou wishest to know. Listen to the settled truth about what should be done in this world by a king and what those acts are by doing which a king may become happy. A king should not behave after the manner disclosed in the high history of a camel of which we have heard. Listen to that history then, O Yudhishthira! There was, in the Krita age, a huge camel who had recollection of all the acts of his former life. Observing the most rigid vows, that camel practised very severe austerities in the forest. Towards the conclusion of his penances, the puissant Brahman became gratified with him. The Grandsire, therefore, desired to grant him boons.'