- Know, lord, that my name is Mrigari, the enemy of animals. It was my father who taught me to kill like this, and I just stick to his instructions. I am very happy to see animals suffer in this way.
- I only ask you one thing, and beg you to grant it to me, implored Narada.
- It is with pleasure that I will give you whatever you want. If these are the skins you want, just come to me. Among other things, I keep many tiger and deer skins there, and I will give you whatever you like.
- Thank you, but I don't want your skins. I have something else on my mind. If you agree to grant it to me, I'll tell you what it is. Here is: from now on, when you want to kill an animal, do not leave it half-dead. Finish it off.
"Why ask me such a thing, sire, what does it matter if I kill him or leave him half-dead?"
- By leaving him half-dead, you make him suffer greatly, Narada explained to him. So you are guilty of a very serious fault. Killing an animal is a serious offense, but not as bad as leaving it half-dead. In truth, you yourself must suffer in the same way in a future life.
Although he was a great sinner, the hunter saw his heart soften at the touch of the great devotee Narada, and he began to fear the consequences of his faults. In general, great sinners do not hesitate to make mistakes, but we see here that, purified in contact with Narada, the hunter began to apprehend the consequences of his reprehensible acts. Hence his answer:
- Dear Lord, I was taught from childhood to kill animals like this. So have the kindness to tell me what I must do to free myself from all the sins and offenses that I may have accumulated. I surrender at your feet and ask you to spare me the consequences of all my past faults by showing me the right path to follow.
- If you are really ready to follow my instructions, I will show you the way that will free you from the consequences of your faults.
"Whatever you tell me to do, I will do it without hesitation," the hunter promised.
Narada first begged him to break his bow, after which he would point out the path to liberation.
- But if I accept, protested the hunter, how can I support myself?
- Do not worry, because I will supply you with cereals so that you can survive, replied Narada.