Ch. xi. Indostan and Tibet. 197 



pected, has in all ages been subject to the most 

 dreadful famines. 



A part of the ordinances of Menu is expressly 

 dedicated to the consideration of times of dis- 

 tress, and instructions are given to the different 

 classes respecting their conduct during these 

 periods. Brahmens pining with hunger and want 

 are frequently mentioned* and certain ancient 

 and virtuous characters are described, who had 

 done impure and unlawful acts, but who were 

 considered by the legislator as justified on ac- 

 count of the extremities to which they were re- 

 duced. 



" Ajigarta, dying with hunger, was going to 

 I* destroy his own son by selling him for some 

 " cattle ; yet he was guilty of no crime, for he 

 " only sought a remedy against famishing." 



" Vamadeva, who well knew right and wrong, 

 " was by no means rendered impure, though de- 

 " sirous, when oppressed by hunger, of eating the 

 " flesh of dogs." 



" Viswamitra too, than whom none knew better 

 " the distinctions between virtue and vice, re- 

 '- solved, when he was perishing with hunger, 

 " to eat the haunch of a dog, which he had re- 

 " ceived from a Cliaudala."\ 



If these great and virtuous men of the highest 

 class, whom all persons were under the obliga- 

 tion of assisting, could be reduced to such ex- 



* Sir William Jones's Works, vol. iii. c. iv. p. IG5. c. x. p. 397. 

 t Id, c. x. p. 397, 398. 



