The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 13.1.17

13.1.17

lubdhaka uvāca |
jānāmyevaṃ neha guṇāguṇajñāḥ sarve niyuktā guravo vai bhavanti |
svasthasyaite tūpadeśā bhavanti tasmātkṣudraṃ sarpamenaṃ haniṣye || 17 ||

"The fowler said, 'I know, O lady that knowest the difference between right and wrong, that the great are afflicted at the afflictions of all creatures. But these words which thou hast spoken are fraught with instruction for only a self-contained person (and not for one plunged in sorrow). Therefore, I must kill this serpent. Those who value peace of mind, assign everything to the course of Time as the cause, but practical men soon assuage their grief (by revenge). People through constant delusion, fear loss of beatitude (in the next world for acts like these). therefore, O lady, assuage thy grief by having this serpent destroyed (by me).