The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v2.c40.s2.73

v2.c40.s2.73

the head of the last, Çākalya, splits open as the result of his failure, while robbers steal his bones.¹ Women are not excluded from contests, a maiden seized by a Gandharva or even one of Yājñavalkya's wives shows herself an adept in these questions. The gods appear; Prajāpati instructs the intelligent pupil Indra and the stupid demon Virocana.² Animals lend their quota of tuition; the pupil, who watches his master's kine increase, receives instruction from the bull of the herd, from the fire, from a gander, and from a Madgu bird.³ It would, of course, be rash to trust to the historicity of the dialogues; they are attached readily to famous names, as in the Kaṭha Naciketas and Yama carry on a dialogue in the later form of verse.