Chapter LVI: Section LVIII

"Hearing Trisanku's speech, the hundred sons of the saint, O Rama, excited by wrath, said these words unto the king,--'Disregarded hast thou been, O thou of perverse understanding, by our truth-telling sire,--why, then, having passed him by, do thou seek for others' help? To the Ikshwakus, their spiritual guide is their prime way; nor art thou capable of setting at naught the words of that truth- telling one. That worshipful saint said, that he was incapable (of accomplishing this),--how can we then undertake that sacrifice? Thou art ignorant, O foremost of men. Do thou speedily retrace thy steps. And, O king, that adorable one is competent to officiate at the sacrifice itself of the three worlds, how can we then contribute to his dishonor?' Hearing those words of theirs, that king, with accents tremulous with passion, again addressed them, saying, --'Disregarded by that worshipful one as well as by the sons of my spiritual guide, I will go after another way,--so peace be unto ye, ascetics.' The saint's sons, on their part, hearing that speech couching a fierce intent, cursed him in exceeding wrath, saying,--Thou shalt come by Chandala-hood.' Having said this, those high-souled ones entered each into his dwelling. And when the night had gone by, the king came by Chandalahood. And clad in a blue garb, blue and rough of person, having a short head of hair, wearing a garland composed of materials culled from a cemetery, his body bedaubed with ashes from the same quarter, he was decked out with iron ornaments. And, O Rama, beholding him in the guise of a Chandala, his counsellors as well as followers, renouncing him, fled in a body. And, Kakutstha, maintaining himself in patience, the monarch burning day and night, all alone went unto the ascetic Vicwamitra. And beholding the disappointed king in the guise of a Chandala, the ascetic O Rama, was touched with pity. And from commiseration, that pre-eminently pious and exceedingly energetic one said unto that king frightful to behold, saying,--'Good betide thee, O heroic lord of Ayodhya, thou hast fallen into Chandala-hood through a curse, what is the purpose of thy coming, O highly powerful prince?' Hearing him, the king conversant with words, fallen into Chandala-hood, with folded hands, said unto that one versed in speech,--Disregarded had I been by my spiritual guide as well as his sons. And far from attaining my desire,I came by this calamity. O thou of placid presence, I had desired to repair unto heaven in body. By me have an hundred sacrifices been performed,--but yet do I not obtain the fruit thereof. I have never before told an untruth; and I swear by my Kshatriya morality, that albeit fallen on evil days, I will never do so in future, O gentle one. And sacrifices I have celebrated many,--and I have ruled my people in righteousness; and I have pleased my preceptors by my character and conduct. But, O best of ascetics, now endeavouring to do my duty and intending to perform a sacrifice, I have failed in enlisting the good graces of my spiritual guides. Therefore do I consider Destiny as supreme; and action as nothing. Destiny overtaketh all: Destiny is the prime way. Therefore it behoveth thee to grant thy favor unto me extremely distressed, who crave thy favor, and, good betide thee, whose endeavours have been baffled by Destiny. Other way will I wend none; nor is there any other refuge for me. It behoveth thee to meet Destiny with exertion'."