Page:Sacred Books of the Buddhists Vol 1.djvu/95

 the excessive marvel of that fame, not minded it?

13. 'I suppose, the people of the country, from whence you have come hither, are either disinclined to search after virtue or indifferent about it; it may also be that, the store of their good fortune being exhausted, the great renown of our king has shunned them.

'At all events, for you there is still some remnant of good fortune, since you are come here from such a savage country.'

The Yakshas said: 'Gentle sir, tell us, of what nature is this power of that king, that spirits are by no means able to hurt the inhabitants of his realm?' The cowherd replied: 'Our monarch has obtained this power through his high-mindedness. See, noble Brâhmans.

14. 'On friendliness does his strength rest, not on his motley-bannered army, which he keeps only to comply with custom. He knows no anger, nor does he speak harsh words. He protects his land in the proper manner. Righteousness is the rule of his actions, not political wisdom, that base science. His wealth serves to honour the virtuous. And endowed with those marvellous qualities, still he does not take unto himself either the wealth of the wicked, or pride.

'Such and many, many more virtues are to be found in our master. For this reason no calamities have the power to hurt the inhabitants of his realm. But how little is the information you may get from me! If you are curious to learn the excellent qualities of our king, it would rather be suitable for you to enter the capital. There you will behold the people in their every-day life; you will see how firm they stand in the (moral) bounds of the âryas, loving each the peculiar duties proper to him; how merry and thriving they are, in consequence of a constant abundance of