50. Gádhi who was conscious of himself (as Gádhi), the Bráhman looked long at his former house and its environs, resembling the dry and dilapidated skeleton of a human body, lying unburied on the naked land.
51. He stood amazed at what he saw, and then withdrew himself to the adjacent village; as when a traveller repairs to the habitation of the Aryas, from his sojourning in the land of barbarians (Mlech’chas).
52. There he asked some one saying, sir, do you remember anything concerning the former state of yonder village, and the lives of its chandála inhabitants?
53. I have heard all good people say, that knowing men are conversant with the annals of all places, as they know every spot on a globe in their hand.
54. If you recollect aught of the good old chandála that, lived retired at yonder spot, and if you remember his adventures, as every one does the past accidents of his own life:—
55. If you are acquainted with the particulars thereabouts, then please to relate them unto me; for it is said there is great spirit in directing a stranger, and in dispelling the doubts of one hanging in suspense.
56. The village people being one by one importuned in this manner by the strange Bráhman; they were as much surprised at his odd request, as physicians are concerned at the abnormal complaint of a patient.
57. The villagers said:—It is an undeniable truth, O Bráhman! as you say, that there lived a chandála of hideous shape by name of Katanjala at that place.
58. He was beset by a large family, consisting of his sons, grandsons, friends and servants; and had other relatives and kinsmen besides. His children were as many as the fruits of a mango tree.
59. But cruel fate snatched all his family in course of time, as a conflagration burns down a mountain forest with all its fruits and flowers at once.