Kuntibhoja Entrusts Pritha to the Brahmana

King Kuntibhoja called his daughter Pritha to him. She was young, raised in comfort, and he was about to ask something of her that would change the shape of her days. "O fortunate one," he said. "For my sake, for my welfare, for the welfare of the lineage, and for your own sake — you must act in this way, without any hesitation." He had already made the arrangement. A brahmana had come to his court — a man of learning and austerity — and Kuntibhoja had decided that Pritha would serve him. Not as a servant serves a master, but as a daughter serves a revered elder: with attention, with devotion, with the full weight of her presence. He handed her over. "This is my young daughter," he told the brahmana. "She has been brought up in comfort. Do not take it to heart if she commits an act that is wrong. Immensely fortunate brahmanas are usually not angry towards the aged, the young, and ascetics, even if the transgression is regular. Brahmanas should forgive even a great transgression. O foremost among brahmanas! Therefore, accept the homage that she renders to the best of her ability." The brahmana agreed. Kuntibhoja, in a happy frame of mind, gave the brahmana a house — white as a swan, white as a beam of moonlight. He arranged a radiant seat in the place where the sacred fire was maintained. He gave him food and every other object he might need. Then Pritha began. She cast aside laziness. She cast aside pride — the natural pride of a princess raised in a palace. With great effort, she devoted herself to worshipping and serving the brahmana. She concentrated on purification — on making herself clean, attentive, ready — and went to him each day. She served him and satisfied him in the appropriate way, as if he were a god. The brahmana accepted the arrangement. And the king was happy.