during the annoyance of living for so long a time in the forest, for the sake of these two, who are already half dead. So now do me a favour. Having turned aside from the strictness of your attendance on your father, let the pleasure of sovereignty, sweet through the attainment of every wish, be tasted by you.
Jímútaváhana.
O friend, you speak not well. For, in this world, what is the splendour of one sitting on a throne compared with that of one in attendance on his father? What enjoyment is there to a king such as that of one shampooing his father's feet? What satisfaction in enjoying the whole world, such as in eating a father's leavings? Sovereignty is in fact only a trouble to one who has deserted his father. Is there one good thing in it?
Vidúshaka (aside).
Bother his "penchant" for waiting on his father! (After considering.) Never mind. I will put it to him in this way. (Aloud.) O friend, I do not in truth speak only of the enjoyment of sovereignty. There is another thing which you should do.
Jímútaváhana (smiling).
O friend, has not all that should have been done, been done? See here. My subjects are placed in the right path; the virtuous are happy; my relatives are placed on an equality with myself, and a regency is made in the kingdom; to the poor man a tree of Paradise has been given, whose fruit gives even more than he wishes for.
