Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/212

 the ascetics, that the fire of their wrath can shoot a curse as its flame, he refrained from a rash deed of contempt against him, even though the Love-god had destroyed the moral checks (that might have restrained him).

Then this thought entered his mind : 'Let me examine the extent of his penance-obtained power. Then I shall be able to act in a proper manner, not otherwise. If his mind is ruled by passionate affection for her, surely, he has no power gained by penance. But if he were to prove dispassionate or to show little interest in her, then he may be supposed to possess that sublime power. Having thus considered, the king, desirous of proving that penance-power, spoke to the Bodhisattva, as if he wished his good. "Say, ascetic, this world abounds in rogues and bold adventurers. Why, it is not fit for Your Reverence to have with you such a handsome person as this companion of your religious duties in remote forests, where you are destitute of protection. If she were to be injured by somebody, certainly people would censure me, too. Look here.

9, 10. 'Suppose, while living in these lonely regions, some man disregarding both you, a penance-exhausted ascetic, and Righteousness, were to carry her off by force, what else could you do in that case but wail on her account? Indulging in anger, forsooth, agitates the mind and destroys the glory of a religious life, since it tends to the detriment of it. It is, therefore, best to let her live in an inhabited place. Of what use, after all, is female company to ascetics ?'

The Bodhisattva said: “Your Majesty has spoken truth. Yet hear to what I would resort in such circumstances.

11. 'Who were to act in such a case against me, Should pride incite or thoughtless rashness move him,

In truth, I would, while living, not release him,

A rain-cloud like that never will endure dust.'

Then the king thought: 'He takes a great interest