Bhishma said Regarding it is cited the old story of a robber who having in this world observed restraints was not ruined in the next.

There was a robber by name Kayavya, born of a Kshatriya father and a Nishada mother. Kayavya followed Kshatriya duties. Capable of grinding, endued with intelligence and bravery, well-read in the scriptures, shorn of cruelty, devoted to the Brahmanas, and adoring his elders and preceptors with respect, he protected the ascetics who practised religious penances. Though a robber, he still acquired happiness in the celestial region.

Morning and evening he used to excite the anger of the deer by chasing them. He knew very well the practises of the hunters as also of all animals living in the wilderness.

Well acquainted with the requirements of time and place, he roamed over the mountains. Knowing full well the habits of all animals, his never missed their aim, and his weapons were strong.

Alone, he could defeat many hundreds of soldiers. He adored daily his old, blind, and deaf parents in the forest.

With honey, meat, fruits, roots and other kinds of excellent food, he hospitably treated all persons worthy of honour and did them many good offices.

arrows He showed great reverence for those Brahmanas who had retired from the world for living in the forest. Killing the deer, he often took meat to them.

As regards those who were reluctant, from fear of others, to accept gifts from him for the profession he followed, he used to repair to their houses before dawn and leave meat at their doors.

One day many thousands of irregular and merciless robbers desired to let him as their leader.

The robbers said You are acquainted with the requirements of place and time. You have wisdom and courage. Great is your firmness in everything you take up! Be you our chief of leaders, adored by all of us!

We will follow your behest! Protect us duly, even as a father or a another.

Kayavya said Never kill you, a woman, or a person who retreats in fear from fight, or a child, or an ascetic! You should not kill one who abstains from fight, nor should you seize or carry women by force.

None of you should ever kill a woman amongst all creatures. Let Brahmanas be always blessed and you should always fight for their well-being.

You should never sacrifice truth. You should never obstruct the marriages of men. You should never injure those houses in which the deities, the Pitris, and guests and adored.

Amongst creatures, Brahmanas should always be exempted by you in your plunders. By giving away everything you have you should adore them.

He, who incurs the anger of the Brahmanas, he, whose discomfiture they seek, cannot find a rescuer in the three worlds.

He, who vilifies the Brahmanas and wishes for their destruction, is himself ruined like darkness at sunrise.

Living here, you shall acquire the fruits of your valour. Troops will be sent against those who will refuse to give us our dues.

The rod of punishment is intended for the wicked. It is not intended for self-seeking. They who oppress the good should be killed.

They who seek to multiply their fortunes by afflicting kingdoms unscrupulously, are as vermins in a dead body.

Those robbers, again, who would follow the restraints of the scriptures, would soon acquire salvation although leading a plundering life.

Bhishma said Thus addressed, those robbers obeyed all the commands of Kayavya. By desisting from sin, they acquired great prosperity.

By behaving thus, by thus doing good to the honest and by thus restraining the robbers from bad practices, Kayavya acquired great success (in the next world).

He, who always meditates on this narrative of Kayavya will have no fear from the forestrangers, in fact, from any earthly creature.

Such a man will have no fear from any creature, O Bharata. He will have no fear from wicked men. If such a man goes to the forest, he will be able to live there as securely as a king.