Book II. XIII. HONOURS (SATKÂRA). I. As the she-mule (dies) on account of her offspring, as the reed and the plantain decay on bearing fruit, so likewise is the foolish man 1 destroyed by honours.2 1 2 (72). No matter how long the fool sacrifices, he will not cease from being infatuated; the fool's bright lot 3 goes on decreasing until it brings to sorrow even the crown of his head.4 3 (73). The fool 5 wishes for riches, for the subjection of the Bhixus (to his orders), for lordship in the abode (of the clergy), to receive the homages of other people. 1 Pho-shal, “a contemptible, foolish man."-P. This word is not in the dictionaries. 2 Devadatta and his five hundred followers were receiving from the king of Magadha many presents and marks of honour. Bhagavat spoke verses I and 2 to illustrate how injurious these riches, &c., were.-P. "The female mule on bringing forth dies, she and her offspring. When therefore she is on the point of bringing forth, a person who is aware of the fact pierces her side with a knife (?) and takes the embryo, other wise it would die also."-P. "When the plantain produces its fruit, called mo-rtsa, the plantain decays and dries 4 (74). "Let both priests and laymen, whosoever they may be, imagine that it is I (who have done it); in whatever is to be done or not done, let them be subject to me;" such is the mind of the fool, and his desires greatly increase.1 5 (75). One is the way to wealth, another is the road to nirvâņa; if the Bhixu, the disciple of the Buddha, has learnt this, he finds no pleasure in honours, but seeks after perfect seclusion (from the world). 4 6. Retain no fondness for anything; deceive no man; give up any occupation; in (following) the law one must not be engaged in commerce. 7. 3 Look after what is to your own profit and envy not what is to that 5 of another, for the Bhixu who does envy another cannot find tranquillity (samâdhi). 8. If a Cramana aspires to lead a happy life, let him put on the gown (sanghâti) of the priesthood and receive alms of food and drink. 9. If a Cramana aspires to lead a happy life, let him keep 1 His covetousness and pride, which are the root of transmigration, do increase.-P. 2 Lit. "he increases gradually (his) seclusion;" in Pâli, vivekam anubrúhaye. 3 "By informing men of your own qualities, by boasting your own qualities."-P. This refers, P. goes on to say, to observing the çîla precepts. The Bhixu who is virtuous and who keeps the çîla precepts would not tell a lie for a hundred thousand karshapanas, whereas he who thinks of but profit and honours would tell a lie for a single karshapana. 4 Such as that of king, &c.-P. 5 The good works that another may have.-P. |