Kunti said: I desire to learn from you what is the cause of this grief. Learning it, I shall remove it, if is capable of being removed.

The Brahmana said : O ascetic lady, what you say is no doubt worthy of virtuous men. But this grief cannot be removed by any human being.

A Rakshasas, named Baka, lives not far off from this town. That greatly powerful (cannibal) is the lord of this town and of this country. That wicked-minded and powerful cannibal, that chief of the Asuras, being fattened by (eating) human flesh, rules over this country. This country and town are protected by the strength of that Rakshasas; thus being protected, we have no fear of any enemy, nay of any living soul.

His remuneration however is fixed to supply his food, which consists of one cart load of rice, two buffaloes and the man who takes them to him.

One after another all (men of this town) send him his food. Though it is very difficult to be kept, yet the turn comes to a particular family at intervals of many years.

If people try to avoid it, the Rakshasas then eats them up with their wives and children.

There is a king in a place called Vetrakiyagriha, but that foolish man does not know how to govern (his kingdom) and he does not take any step by which this country may be rendered safe.

We certainly deserve it all, for we live in everlasting anxiety in the kingdom of a wretched and weak king.

The Brahmanas can never be made to live (permanently) in the house of any one, (for) they are free men. They depend upon their own accomplishments and roam (over the world) like a bird, free to fly at pleasure.

It is said that a (good) king should be saved first, them a wife and then wealth, by the acquisition of the three, one can rescue his relatives and sons.

In the matter of the acquisition of these three, my course has been (quite) the reserve. Therefore falling into this danger, I am suffering great affections.

The race destroying turn of (supplying food to the Rakshsasa) has come round to me. I shall have to give the food and a man as the remuneration of the (Rakshasas).

I have no wealth to buy a man. I shall not bu able to give one who is dear to me.

I do not see any means to save myself from the Rakshasas; therefore, I am plunged into a great ocean of grief, from which there is no escape.

I shall today with all my family, go to that Rakshasas so that, that wretch may devour us all at once.