Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/297

 speak so. This is a Muni who has purified his Self by a long life of vows and restraints and penance; Kshậntivâdin is his name.' Nevertheless the king, in the pervertedness of his mind, did not take to heart their words, and continued : 'Alas! Ah!

31. 'So it is then a long time already since this hypocrite, setting himself up as the foremost of holy ascetics, has deceived people by his forgery!

'Well, then, I will lay open the true nature of that hypocrite, though he keeps it veiled with his ascetic's dress and well conceals it by practising the art of delusion and false godliness.' After thus speaking, he took his sword from the hand of the female guard (who was bearing it) and rushed on the holy Rishi with the determination of striking him, as if he were his rival. The royal wives, who had been informed by their attendants of the king's approach, on seeing his fine features changed by anger, became much afflicted, and with anxious looks expressive of their trouble and consternation rose from the earth, and took leave of the holy Rishi. Then they went to meet the king, and as they stood near him with their folded hands lifted up to their face, they had the appearance of an assemblage of lotuses in autumn, when the brightness of the flowers begins to peep out of the enclosure of the buds.

32. Yet their graceful demeanour, their modesty and comeliness did not appease his mind incensed with the fire of wrath.

But the queens who commenced already to recover from their first terror, perceiving that the king in the fierce manner of one whose behaviour is altered by anger was marching with a weapon in the direction of the holy Rishi, on whom he kept fixed his adverse looks, placed themselves in his way, and surrounding him entreated him : 'Your Majesty, pray, do not commit a reckless act, do not, pray. This man is the Reverend Kshântivâdin.' The king, however, owing to his heart's wickedness, became the more angry, thinking: 'Surely, he has already gained their affection.' He