18. Sacrifice

Once on a time in the Kasi country a man from a little village had promised a sacrifice to the Fairy of a banyan-tree which stood at the entrance to the village. Afterwards when he returned, he slew a number of creatures and betook himself to the tree to get released form his vow. But the Three-Fairy, standing in the fork of tree, repeated this stanza:-

Take thought of life hereafter when you seek

‘Release’;

for this release is bondage strict.

Not thus the wise and good release themselves;

For this, the fool’s release, in bondage ends.

Then onwards, men refrained form such taking of life, and by walking in righteousness thronged thereafter the city of the Devas.

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