Sūta replied:: “A request for alms (of an unspecified nature) by a Brāhmaṇa has been promised but not fulfilled by me. It can be accomplished only through physical exertions. I will not take up your old age. There are many deficiencies and ailments in old age caused by food and beverage. Hence, O king, I dare not take up your old age. I do not wish to be afflicted by old age, while in youth, along with the people with sacred threads (i.e. aged Brāhmaṇas)(I do not want to be) a wretched fellow having a white beard and moustaches, rendered infirm by old age and having wrinkles covering up the whole body. (And old man) is desperate, weak in physique and incapable of doing his daily work (I do not wish to be so in my youth). I ḍo not like old age at all. You have many sons, O king, dearer to you than I. Let them accept (the old age), O king conversant with Dharma (piety and virtue), choose some other soil”.