^76:3 This dialogue between Uddalaka and Yajnavalkya forms part of a disputation between Brahman theologians, as the prize of which a thousand cows were offered by King Janaka of Videha (Brihad-ar. Up. III. i. 1). The mention of a splitting head occurs several times in a similar connection in the Upanishads; practically it means that he who accepts the challenge and fails in these tourneys of wit is doomed to death by "visitation of God."

XI. THE WISDOM OF RAIKVA

Janas'ruti Pautrayana was a devout giver, bestowing much largesse, preparing much food. He caused lodgings to be built everywhere, that he might have men everywhere fed. Now in the night there flew swans by. One swan said to another, "Ho, ho, Dim-eye, Dim-eye! Janas'ruti

[paragraph continues] Pautrayana's splendour is outspread like that of the heavens; so touch it not, lest thou burn thyself."

The other answered him, "Who forsooth is he of whom thou speakest as though he were Raikva of the Cart?"

"What meanest thou by Raikva of the Cart?"

"As the lower dice-throws fall under the winning four-throw, so whatsoever good deed the people do falls to him; of him who knows this and of that which he knows do I speak."

Janas'ruti Pautrayana overheard this. When he rose up, he said to his chamberlain, "Ho, thou speakest as of Raikva of the Cart ; what meanest thou by Raikva of the Cart?"

"As the lower dice-throws fall under the winning four-throw, so whatsoever good deed the people do falls to him; of him who knows this and of that which he knows do I speak."

The chamberlain sought [Raikva], and came back, saying "I have found him not." [Janas'ruti] said to him, "Ho, go for him in the place where a Brahman is to be sought."

[Raikva] was under a waggon, scratching his scabs; and he sat down before him, and said to him, "Art thou Raikva of the Cart, my lord?"

"Yea, I am," he answered.

The chamberlain came back, saying, "I have found him."

Then Janas'ruti Pautrayana took six hundred kine, a golden chain, and a mule-car, and drew near to him, and said, "Raikva, here are six hundred kine, a golden chain, and a mule-car; my lord, teach me the deity that thou worshippest."

But the other answered, "Fie on thee, base fellow; keep them for thyself, with thy kine!"

Then Janas'ruti Pautrayana took a thousand kine, a golden chain, a mule-car, and his daughter, and drew near to him, and said, "Raikva, here are a thousand kine, a golden chain, a mule-car, a wife, and the village in which thou art sitting; my lord, teach me!"

He lifted up her face, and said, "He has brought these! Base fellow, with this face alone thou mightest have made me speak."