Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/347

 82. 'How can you keep the vow of veracity and refrain from injuring others, O king, if you do not give up the habit of being an eater of human flesh ?

'Fie upon you!

83. 'Did not you say before, you were willing to give these boons even at the risk of your life? But now you act quite otherwise.

84. 'And how should you abstain from injury, killing men in order to get their flesh ? And this being so, what may be the value of the three boons you did grant me?'

The son of Sudâsa spoke :

85. 'How shall I be able to give up that very habit, because of which I renounced my kingdom, bore hardship in the wilderness, and suffered myself to kill my righteousness and destroy my good renown?'

The Bodhisattva replied: 'For this very reason you ought to give it up.

86. 'How should you not leave that state because of which you have lost your righteousness, your royal power, your pleasures, and your good renown? Why cling to such an abode of misfortune ?

87. 'Besides, it is but the vilest among men who repent having given. How, then, should this meanness of mind subdue a person like you?

'Cease then, cease following after mere wickedness. You ought to stir up yourself now. Is not Your Honour the son of Sudâsa ?

88. 'Meat examined by physicians and dressed by skilful (cooks) is at your disposal. You may take the flesh of domestic animals, of fishes living in waterbasins, and also venison. With such meat satisfy your heart, but pray, desist from the reprehensible habit of eating human flesh.

89. 'How do you like to stay in this solitary forest and prefer it to your relations and children and your attendants (once) beloved ? how prefer it to enjoying the melodious songs at night, the grave sounds of drums reminding you of water-clouds, and the other various pleasures of royalty ?