Jaiminīya (Talavakāra) Brāhmaṇa 20.94
English (machine translation) 20.94
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20.94
Now the Vārśa [sāman].
Vṛśa Jāna was the family priest of King Triyaruṇa Traivṛṣṇa, the descendant of Ikṣvāku.
Now formerly priests used to guide the reins of the chariots for the kings, as overseers, lest he commit an evil deed.
While the two were driving fast, they severed with the chariot wheel a Brahmin boy who was playing on the road.
The other [king] urged [the horses] forward while driving fast, but the other [priest] pulled [them] back.
Having reached him, he could not pull [the horses] back in time.
Right there the two severed him.
Concerning this, the two disputed: 'You are the killer! You are the killer!'
Vṛśa, throwing down the reins and stepping down, said: 'You are the killer!'
'No,' he said.
'He who holds the reins of the chariot, he rules the chariot.
You are the killer!'
'No,' the other said; 'I pulled back, whereas you urged [them] forward. You alone are the killer!'
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They said, 'Let us two ask [for arbitration].'
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The two went to the Ikṣvākus for a decision.
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The Ikṣvākus said: 'He indeed who holds the reins of the chariot, he rules the chariot.
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You alone are the killer!' Thus they decided against Vṛśa alone.
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He desired: 'May I go out from here; may I find a way, a protector;
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may this boy live again.'
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He saw this sāman.
Linked texts (1)
- Jaiminīyabrāhmaṇa — Sanskrit