502 RESPECT SHOWN TO VANAPRASTHAS
doctrines, and learning have been described by several ancient historians.
Mention is often made of these hermit Brahmins in the ancient books of India. They are there represented as
living in solitary cells, entirely cut off from all intercourse with mankind and from all the distractions of social life, and devoting their whole time to spiritual observances.
The most famous and ancient of all were the seven great
Penitents whom I have already several times mentioned.
Their successors, too, continued to enjoy the highest renown. Kings paid them honours which reached the point of worship, and attached the greatest value to their benedictions. Princes trembled at the mere idea of incurring their wrath, convinced that their curse would
entail direful consequences. This is how the author of the Padma-purana describes the reception of some Vanaprasthas by the great King of Dilipa
:
'
Filled with unutterable joy and respect, he bowed himself to the ground before them. Then making them sit down, he washed their feet, drank some of the water that he used for that purpose, and poured the rest over his head. Joining his two hands together and putting them to his forehead, he made a profound obeisance and addressed them in these words "
: The happiness which I feel to-day on seeing you can only be the reward of the good works
which I must have done in previous existences; at the sight of your sacred feet, which are verily lotus flowers,
I possess all that heart can desire; my body is perfectly pure, now that I have had the honour of seeing you. You are the gods whom I worship; I know no other gods but you. Iam henceforth as pure as the water of the Ganges."
It is not surprising that kings humbled themselves in the presence of these sages, seeing that the great gods themselves paid respect to them, and considered themselves honoured by their visits. Indeed there is no mark of distinction and respect which the gods did not bestow upon the Vanaprasthas, who, on their part, treated the gods with scant courtesy and very often with insolence.
For example, one Vanaprastha, who visited the three principal Hindu divinities in turn, began by giving each
a kick to see how they endured such an affront, and to