of himself; how can he claim possession of children, riches, and servants? Many are the anxieties of the worldly, but they know nothing of the changes of the future."4
Scarcely had Ānanda left, when the old man was stricken with apoplexy and fell dead. The Buddha said, for the instruction of those who were ready to learn: "A fool, though he live in the company of the wise, understands nothing of the true doctrine, as a spoon tastes not the flavor of the soup. He thinks of himself only, and unmindful of the advice of good counsellors is unable to deliver himself."5
LXXIII.
RESCUE IN THE DESERT.
There was a disciple of the Blessed One, full of energy and zeal for the truth, who, Jiving under a vow to complete a meditation in solitude, flagged in a moment of weakness. He said to himself: "The Teacher said there are several lands of men; I must belong to the lowest class and fear that in this birth there will be neither path nor fruit for me. What is the use of a forest life if I cannot by my constant endeavor attain the insight of meditation to which I have devoted myself?" And he left the solitude and returned to the Jetavana.1
When the brethren saw him they said to him: "Thou hast done wrong, O brother, after taking a vow, to give up the attempt of carrying it out;" and they took him to the Master.2
When the Blessed One saw them he said: "I see, O mendicants, that you have brought this brother here against his will. What has he done?"3
"Lord, this brother, having taken the vows of so sanctifying a faith, has abandoned the endeavor to accomplish
