An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s7.546

c5.s7.546

[*Kitopākhyāna*] (“the episode relating to the worm”). § 762δ (*Anuçāsanik.*). *Bhīshma* said: In days of old, when the emancipated (*Brahmabhūtaḥ*) brahman *Vyāsa* roamed over the world, he saw a worm speedily moving on a chariot-road. Asked by *Vyāsa*, who was omniscient and knew the language of every animal, the worm said that it was running away from a large cart, lest it should be killed; every creature, in whatever situation it may be placed, becomes attached to it; “in even this order of being I am happy, I think, and wish to live”; in his former life he was a cruel *Çūdra*, a usurer, etc., never dedicating food to D. and P., etc. (description); he now was filled with repentance and grief; he had, however, worshipped his old mother, and once showed hospitality to a brahman; in consequence thereof the memory had not forsaken him, and he thought he should once more regain happiness (XIII, 117). *Vyāsa* said: “It is the consequence of a meritorious act of mine that thou art not stupefied; in consequence of my penances I am able to rescue a being of demerit by the simply granting him sight of my person; there is no stronger power than that of penances. Thou mayst again attain to righteousness and merit; the state of a worm is really fraught with great misery. The superior brahman worships the Sun and the Moon uttering mantras; when thou hast attained to that state, I shall impart to thee *Brāhman*.” The worm remained and was killed by the cart. He was reborn in diverse orders of being, such as a porcupine, Iguana, boar, deer, bird, *Cāṇḍāla*, *Çūdra*, and *Vaiçya*. Born at last as a *Kshatriya* (with *Kāmboja* steeds, *Sūtas* and *Māgadhas*, etc.; description) through the grace of *Vyāsa*, he came and worshipped him. *Vyāsa* said that the sin of his former life had yet not been destroyed; he should become a brahman by giving up his life on the field of battle for the sake of cows or brahmans; performing many sacrifices he should attain to heaven, and after emancipation (*Brahma-bhūtaḥ*) he should enjoy eternal happiness. The ascending order of transmigration is: († v. 5774) *animal* > *Çūdra* > *Vaiçya* > *Kshatriya* > *Brahman* > *Svarga* (XIII, 118). He betook himself to severe austerities; *Vyāsa* went to him and said that the penances of the *Kshatriyas* consist in the protection of all creatures; thereby he should attain to the state of a brahman. Then he protected his subjects righteously, and after death became a brahman. *Vyāsa* came and told him not to fear death, but only the loss of righteousness. He caused the earth to be marked with 100 sacrificial stakes, and then obtained a residence in the region of *Brahmán* himself, and obtained the eternal *Brāhman* by his own acts, according to the words of *Vyāsa*. Also the *Kshatriyas*, who have been slain [on the field of Kurukshetra], have attained to a meritorious end (*gatim puṇyām*); therefore, do not mourn on their account” (XIII, 119).