Then one day there passed by that way a Pashupata ascetic. And he said to the Brahman: "My son, what are you doing here?" So he replied. "Reverend Sir, I am performing penance, for the expiation of sin, on the banks of the Ganges." Then the ascetic said: "What has this miserable puddle to do with the Ganges." And the Brahman said: "Is this then, not the Ganges?" And the ascetic laughed in his face, and said: "Truly, old as I am, I did not think that there had been folly like this in the world. Wretched man, who has deluded you? The Ganges is hundreds of miles away, and resembles this contemptible brook no more than Mount Meru resembles an ant-hill." Then the Brahman said: "Reverend Sir, I am much obliged to you." And taking his pot and staff, he went forward, till at length he came to a broad river. And he rejoiced greatly, saying; "This must be the sacred Ganges." So he settled on its banks and remained there for five years, bathing every day in its waters. Then one day there came by a Kapalika, who said to him, "Why do you remain here, wasting precious time over a river of no account or sanctity, instead of going to the Ganges?" But the Brahman was amazed, and said: "And is this, then not the Ganges?" Then the Kapalika replied: "This is the Ganges! Is a jackal, lion or a Chandala a Brahman? Sir, you are dreaming. "Then the Brahman sighed deeply. And he said, "Sir, I am enlightened by you". And he took his pot and staff, and went forward.

But he was now very old and feeble. And long penance had weakened his frame and exhausted his energies. And as he toiled on in the heat of the day over the burning earth, the sun beat on his head like the thunderbolt of Indra, and struck him with fever. Still he gathered himself together and struggled on, growing weaker and weaker day by day, till at last he got no further, but fell down and lay dying on the ground. But collecting all his remaining strength, with a last desperate effort he dragged himself up a low hill in front of him. And lo! there before him rolled the mighty stream of Ganges, with countless numbers of pilgrims doing penance on its banks and bathing in its stream. And in his agony he cried aloud: "O Mother Ganges! alas! alas! I have pursued you all my life and now I die here helpless in sight of you." So his heart broke, and he never reached its shore.

F.W. Bain

Who said, "I am performing penance, for the expiation of sin..."

The Brahman

The correct answer is Option (1) - The Brahman