44. I must therefore cast off this prolated body of mine, which is of no use to me, in the acquisition of knowledge or in keeping company with wise and holy men.
45. Of what good is this big and bulky body of mine, to scan the unknowable infinity of the endless and supportless Brahma, whose essence contains and supports the whole of this universe, and is hard to be ascertained.
46. Thinking so in yourself, you will shrivel your bloated body, by exhaling your breath (as you had expanded it by your inhalation of it), and then shun your frame as a bird cast off the outer crust of a fruit after suction of its juicy sap.
47. After casting off the mortal clod and coil of your body, thy soul will rest in empty air accompanied with its respirative breath of life, which is more tenuous than the subtile ether (over which it floats).
48. Thy big body will then fall down on earth, as when the great mount of Meru fell on the ground, being cleft of its wings by ire of Indra; and will crush all earthly beings, and smash the mountains to dust underneath it.
49. Then will the dry and starved goddess Kálí, with her hungry host of Mátris and furies, devour thy prostrate body, and restore the earth to its purity, by clearing it of its nuisance.
50. Now you heard me fully relate unto your future fate, go therefore to yonder forest of palm trees, and remain there in practising your austerities as well as you may like.
51. The huntsman rejoined:—O sir, how great are the woes that are awaiting upon me, and which I am destined to undergo in my vain pursuit after knowledge (of the infinite nature and works of God).
52. Pray tell me sir, if you have anything to say, for my averting the great calamity that you have predicted; and tell me also, if there be no expedient to avoid the destined evil.
53. The sage replied:—There is no body nor any power whatever, that is ever able to prevent the eventualities of fate; and all attempts to avert them, are thrown on one’s back.