"Like Vessa and Ambattha these; and brahmins they too hight:
Such Brahmins shall we seek for, now you know this kind aright?"

Quoth King Koravya:

"These have no right to such a name: lost is their brahminhood:
Vidhura, find me other men who shall be wise and good,

"Men free from deeds of evil lust, that they may eat my food:
So would I give, that I myself may reap a crop of good."

[364] "Some chaplains fortunes tell, or geld and mark a beast for pay:
With proffered food the village folk invite them oft to stay.
There kine and bullocks, swine and goats are slaughtered many a day.

"Like butchers base are these, O king, and brahmins too they hight:
Such brahmins shall we seek for, now you know this kind aright?"

Quoth King Koravya:

"These have no right to such a name: lost is their brahminhood:
Vidhura, find me other men who shall be wise and good,

"Men free from deeds of evil lust, that they may eat my food:
So would I give, that I myself may reap a crop of good."

"Some brahmins, armed with sword and shield, with battle-axe in hand,
Ready to guide a caravan before the merchants stand.

"Like herdmen these, or bandits bold, yet brahmins too they hight:
Such brahmins shall we seek for, now you know this kind aright?"

Quoth King Koravya:

"These have no right to such a name: lost is their brahminhood:
Vidhura, find me other men who shall be wise and good,

"Men free from deeds of evil lust, that they may eat my food:
So would I give, that I myself may reap a crop of good."

"Some build them huts and lay them traps in any woodland place,
Catch fish and tortoises, the hare, wild-cat and lizard chase.

"Hunters are these, O mighty king, and brahmins they too hight:
Such brahmins shall we seek for, now you know this kind aright?"

Quoth King Koravya:

"These have no right to such a name: lost is their brahminhood:
Vidhura, find me other men who shall be wise and good,

[365] "Men free from deeds of evil lust, that they may eat my food
So would I give, that I myself may reap a crop of good."

"Others for love of gold lie down beneath the royal bed,
At soma-sacrifice: the kings bathing above their head .

"These are like barbers? O great king, but brahmins too they hight:
Such brahmins shall we seek for, now you know this kind aright?"

Quoth King Koravya:

"These have no right to such a name: lost is their brahminhood:
Vidhura, find me other men who shall be wise and good,

"Men free from deeds of evil lust, that they may eat my food:
So would I give, that I myself may reap a crop of good."