The highest of verbal disciplines, it is said, are silence, the study and recitation of sacred texts in praise of the gods, and refraining from slander. Such are the noblest vows concerning speech. Now, hear a story from another age. There lived then a sage named Āruṇi, son of Brahmā, renowned for his fierce austerity. This illustrious twice-born, seeking the path of penance, withdrew to the forest, where he devoted himself to rigorous fasting and spiritual discipline. Āruṇi made his dwelling on the beautiful banks of the Devikā river. One day, he approached the great river for his ritual ablutions. After bathing and reciting his prayers, the sage beheld a fearsome hunter approaching, armed with a mighty bow and fierce of gaze. Intent on killing the sage and taking his bark garments, the hunter advanced. Āruṇi, disturbed by the peril of being slain and the greater sin of slaying a brāhmaṇa, stood still, his mind absorbed in meditation upon Lord Nārāyaṇa. But as the hunter gazed upon the sage, in whom he perceived the presence of Hari, a sudden fear gripped him. He abandoned his bow and arrows and spoke: “O brāhmaṇa, I came here intending to slay you, but now, upon seeing you, my mind has changed.” He confessed further: “Thousands of brāhmaṇas and tens of thousands of their wives have I slain, and also householders. Never, even in hell, has there been a mind more sinful than mine. Now, I wish to perform austerity near you. Show me your favor by instructing me.” The sage, however, remained silent, unwilling to reply to one who had committed such terrible deeds. Yet, the hunter, longing for righteousness, did not depart. The brāhmaṇa, after his bath, took shelter beneath a tree. In time, a hungry tiger came to the river, intent on killing the peaceful sage. As the tiger lunged toward Āruṇi, who was still in the water, the hunter struck the beast with an arrow, ending its life at once. At that moment, a man emerged from the tiger’s body. The brāhmaṇa, hearing the commotion from within the water, cried out loudly, “Obeisance to Nārāyaṇa!” The departing tiger heard this mantra as its life ebbed away, and by merely hearing it, the creature was freed from its sins and attained auspiciousness. The released soul spoke: “I am going to that place where Viṣṇu, the Eternal, resides. By your grace, O best of brāhmaṇas, I am freed from sin and suffering.” Astonished, the sage asked, “Who are you, O best of men?” The soul replied, “In a former birth, I was a mighty king named Dīrghabāhu, learned in all duties. I knew the Vedas, and the difference between auspicious and inauspicious. I had no dealings with brāhmaṇas, thinking nothing could be gained from them.” “But for my arrogance, all the brāhmaṇas, filled with anger, uttered a terrible curse: ‘You shall become a fierce tiger! Because you have insulted brāhmaṇas, and your memory will end with truth, deluded at the time of death, you shall become so by Keśava’s will.’ Thus was I cursed by those masters of the Vedas, receiving the full curse of Brahmā from them.” “Yet, before departing, the brāhmaṇas, bowing to the great sage, spoke words of favor to me: ‘Whoever stands before you at the sixth meal-time, O lowest of men, that one will become your food for a time. And when, struck by an arrow, with life lingering in your throat, you hear from the mouth of a brāhmaṇa the words "Obeisance to Nārāyaṇa," then you will attain heaven—there is no doubt.’” “Even if Viṣṇu’s name is heard from another’s mouth, O best of beings, it is manifestly efficacious for one who has incurred the wrath of brāhmaṇas. Whoever, honoring brāhmaṇas, utters 'Salutations to Hari' with his own mouth and leaves his body, is freed from sin and attains liberation. This is the truth, again and again, the truth—I raise my arm and declare: brāhmaṇas who walk this earth are as gods; the Supreme Person is unchanging.” Having spoken thus, the king, freed from all faults, ascended to heaven. The sage, steadfast in his practice, now turned to the hunter and said, “Because you protected me when the king of beasts sought to kill me, I am pleased with you, O virtuous one. Ask for a boon, and I shall grant it.” The hunter replied, “This alone is my boon—that you speak to me, O twice-born. What need have I for any other boon? Please instruct me.” The sage answered, “Formerly, O son, you sought me for penance, though you were burdened with many sins and a fearful form. Now, your sins have been destroyed—by your bath in the Devikā, by seeing me for a long time, and by hearing the name of Viṣṇu. You are purified in body at this very moment—there is no doubt.” “In my presence, accept this boon: perform penance, O virtuous one, for as long as you desire.” The hunter said, “This Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, the Lord, whom you have spoken of—how is he attained by mortals? This alone is the boon I seek.” The sage replied, “If a person undertakes even a small vow for Acyuta, he attains the Supreme, endowed with devotion. Therefore, O son, practice this vow: do not eat food from a group, and never speak falsehood anywhere. This vow I prescribe for you, O best of hunters. Here, engaged in penance, remain as long as you wish.” Śrī Varāha continued: Thus, after thoughtful consideration, the brāhmaṇa bestowed his boon, recognizing the hunter’s yearning for liberation. The sage then departed, having fulfilled his purpose. The excellent hunter, embracing the auspicious and beautiful path, performed penance without food, ever remembering his teacher in his heart.