Bhishma said These Nagas of that city became greatly distressed when they saw that that Brahmana, devoted to the practice of penances, continued to live in the forest, entirely abstaining from food, in expectation of the arrival of the Naga king.

All the kinsmen and relatives of the great Naga, including his brothers and children and wife, assembling together, went to the spot where the Brahmana was living.

Arrived on the banks of the Gomati, they saw that twice-born one seated in a solitary place, abstaining from food of every sort, observant all the while of excellent vows, and engaged in silently reciting certain Mantras.

Approaching the Brahmana and offering him due adorations, the kinsmen and relatives of the great Naga said to him these candid words.

O Brahmana having asceticism, for your riches, that is the sixth day of your arrival here, but you speak no word about your food, O twice-born one you are devoted to virtue.

You have come to us. We too are here in attendance upon you. It is absolutely necessary that we should do the duties of hospitality by you. We are all relations of the Naga king with whom you have business.

Roots or fruit, leaves, or water, or rice or meat, O best of Brahmanas, you should take for food.

For your living in this forest under such circumstances of total abstention from food, the whole community of Nagas young and old is being aggrieved, since this your fast implies negligence on our part to discharge the duties of hospitality.

We have none amongst us who has been guilty of Brahmanicide. None of us has been guilty of Brahmanicide. None of us has ever lost a son immediately after birth. No one has been born in our race who has eaten before serving the gods or guests or relatives arrived at his house.

The Brahmana said On account of these solicitations of you all, I may be considered to have broken my fast. Eight days remain when the king of the Nagas will return.

If, on the expire of the eighth night hence, the king of the Nagas do not come back, I shall then break this fast by eating. Indeed, this vow of abstaining from all food that I am observing is on account of my respect for the Naga king.

You should not grieve for what I am doing. Do you all return to whence you came. This my vow is on his account. You should not do anything on account of which this my vow may be broken.

The assembled Nagas, thus addressed by Brahmana, were sent away by him, whereupon, O forcmost of men, they returned to their respective quarters.