Brahmana Takes Leave of the Hunter
Having heard the hunter's wisdom and offered his own, the brahmana recognizes that the hunter needs nothing from him. He asks to depart, blessing the hunter with peace and the protection of dharma.
The brahmana looked at the hunter and saw what the hunter had become. The curse was still running its course. The hunter was still waiting for time to pass. But the waiting had transformed him.
"You have attained wisdom," the brahmana said. "You are learned. You have great intelligence. You are content in knowledge. You are devoted to dharma. You have nothing that I can sorrow about."
There was nothing left to teach. Nothing left to console. The hunter had already arrived at the place the brahmana might have guided him toward.
"I wish to take my leave. May you be in peace. May dharma protect you. O supreme among those who uphold dharma! May you not deviate in your duty towards dharma."
The hunter joined his hands in salutation and granted leave. The brahmana circumambulated him — a gesture of respect, the student honoring the teacher — and departed. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 503