The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa - Khamkoo

“Rajadharman said, „Welcome, O Brahmana! By good luck have I got thee today
in my abode. The sun is set. The evening twilight is come. Having come to my
abode, thou art today my dear and excellent guest. Having received my worship
according to the rites laid down in the scriptures, thou mayst go whither thou wilt
tomorrow morning.‟”
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“Bhishma said, „Hearing these sweet words, Gautama became filled with wonder.
Feeling at the same time a great curiosity, he eyed Rajadharman without being
able to withdraw his gaze from him.‟
“Rajadharman said, „O Brahmana, I am the son of Kasyapa by one of the
daughters of (the sage) Daksha. Possessed of great merits, thou art my guest
today. Thou art welcome, O foremost of Brahmanas!‟
“Bhishma continued, „Having offered him hospitality according to the rites laid
down in the scriptures, the crane made an excellent bed of the Sala flowers that
lay all around. He also offered him several large fishes caught from the deep
waters of the Bhagirathi. Indeed, the son of Kasyapa offered, for the acceptance
of his guest Gautama a blazing fire and certain large fishes. After the Brahmana
had eaten and became gratified, the bird possessing wealth of penances began
to fan him with his wings for driving off his fatigue. Seeing his guest seated at his
case, he asked him about his pedigree. The man answered, saying, „I am a
Brahmana known by the name of Gautama,‟ and then remained silent. The bird
gave his guest a soft bed made of leaves and perfumed with many fragrant
flowers. Gautama laid himself down on it, and felt great happiness. When
Gautama had laid himself down, the eloquent son of Kasyapa, who resembled
Yama himself in his knowledge of duties, asked him a bout the cause of his
arrival there. Gautama answered him, saying, „I am, O large-souled one, very
poor. For earning wealth[494] I am desirous of going to the sea.‟ The son of
Kasyapa cheerfully told him: „It behoveth thee not to feel any anxiety. Thou shalt
succeed, O foremost of Brahmanas, and shalt return home with properly. The
sage Vrihaspati hath spoken of four kinds of means for the acquisition of wealth,
viz., inheritance, sudden accession due to luck or the favour of the gods,
acquisition by labour, and acquisition through the aid or kindness of friends. I
have become thy friend. I cherish good feelings towards thee. I shall, therefore,
exert myself in such a way that thou mayst succeed in acquiring wealth. The
night passed away and morning came. Seeing his guest rise cheerfully from bed,
the bird addressed him, saying, „Go, O amiable one, along this very route and
thou art sure to succeed. At the distance of about three Yojanas from this place,
there is a mighty king of the Rakshasas. Possessed of great strength, his name
is Virupaksha, and he is a friend of mine. Go to him, O foremost of Brahmanas!
That chief, induced by my request, will, without doubt, give thee as much wealth
as thou desirest.‟ Thus addressed, O king, Gautama cheerfully set out from that
place, eating on the way, to his fill, fruits sweet as ambrosia. Beholding the
Mahabharta of Krishna Dwipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kesarimohan Ganguli
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