The Rishis, much concerned at what he said, addressed that great ascetic and said-We have not stolen your stalks! You should not cherish these suspicions against us, O great Rishi, we shall take the most dreadful oaths.
तमाहुरार्ता ऋषयो महर्षि न ते वयं पुष्करं चोरयामः। मिथ्याभिषङ्गो भवता न कार्य: शपाम तीक्ष्णैः शपथैर्महर्षे ॥