with kindness and affection for his friends, obtains a good reputation, is trusted by his friends and enjoys their benefits. He will possess gladness of mind and the virtue of humility, his enemies will consider him a man hard to offend, and finally he will gain residence in Heaven.
42. Thus knowing the power and the consequences of good and evil behaviour with respect to friends, O king, hold fast to the road followed by the virtuous. He who goes along on this will attain happiness.'
In this manner, then, the virtuous grieve not so much for their own pain as for the loss of happiness incurred by their injurers. [So is to be said, when discoursing on the great-mindedness of the Tathagata, and when treating of listening with attention to the preaching of the Law; likewise when dealing with the subjects of forbearance and faithfulness towards friends; also when demonstrating the sinfulness of evil deeds.]
XXV. The Story of the Sarabha.
(Cp. the Pâli Gâtaka, No. 483, Fausb. IV, 267–275.)
Even to him who attempts their life the intensely compassionate show pity in his distress ; they will not disregard such a one. This will be taught in the following.
One time, it is said, the Bodhisattva was a sarabha'[1], living in a remote part of a certain forest. That region, lying beyond the path and the noise of men, was a dwelling-place of manifold tribes of forest-animals. Its many roots, trees, and shrubs were immersed in the thick and high grass which covered its soil, untrodden by travellers and showing nowhere any trace of vehicles and carriages, the tracks of whose
- ↑ Not the common deer of that name seems to be meant, but the fabulous animal sarabha, said to be eight-legged, very strong, and a match for lions and elephants.
Q 2
