August, 1873.] MR. GOGERLY’S TRANSLATIONS. 235 19. We know that this is the ninth cause which leads to the decline of prosperity of men. O BhagavA! please declare the tenth: what is it that leads to that result P 20. If any old man take a young woman, with breasts like unto timba-fruits, for his wife, and break rest from motives of jealousy, that will operate as a cause towards the decline of his prosperity. 21. We know that this is the tenth cause which leads men to decline in prosperity. O BhagavA ! please declare the eleventh: what is it that brings about that result P 22. Should any individual entrust the manage¬ ment of his affairs to a gluttonous and prodigal woman or man, or place him or her at the head of his household, that would be a cause to bring about the decline of his prosperity. 23. We know that this is the eleventh cause which leads men to decline in prosperity. 0 Bha- gavA ! please declare the twelfth : what is it that leads to the said decline P 24. If any individual is born of royal race, but is deficient in wealth, and, full of ambition, aspire to sovereignty here, that is a cause which will lead to a decline of his prosperity. 25. Therefore the wise man who has seen well the causes which in this world lead to the decline of men’s prosperity will lead such a life here as will entitle him to a birth in heaven. METTA-SUTTA, OR DISCOURSE ON GENTLENESS. Thus I heard: Buddha resided in the garden of AnAthapindika in Jetavana, near SAvatthi. He then convoked his priests and said to them: There are eleven advantages, Priests, result¬ ing from cultivating, meditating on, becoming accustomed to, led by, established in, following after, and acting according to a spirit of mildness and freedom from passion. These eleven are, that he who acts thus sleeps sound, awakes re¬ freshed, has no evil dreams, is beloved of men, is beloved of demons, is preserved by the gods, nei¬ ther fire, poison, nor sword can injure him, he has constant tranquillity, is of a pleasant aspect, will die in full possession of his intellectual powers, and hereafter will obtain an existence in the worlds of Brahma. These are the eleven advant¬ ages which result from cultivating, meditating on, being accustomed to, led by, established in, follow¬ ing after, and acting according to a spirit of mild¬ ness and freedom from passion. When Buddha had thus spoken, the priests were much edified. METTANISAMSA-SUTTA, OR ADVANTAGES OP GENTLENESS. 1. He who never violates friendly feelings, * whenever he journeys from his own residence shall obtain abundance of food, and become tho means of supporting many others. 2. He who never violates friendly feelings, whe¬ ther he visits town, country, or province, he Bhall b9 everywhere treated with respect. 3. He who never violates friendly feelings shall be unassailed by robbers, shall receive no disho¬ nour from princes, and shall escape from every enemy. 4. He who never violates friendly feelings shall return in tranquillity to his home, rejoice in the assemblies of-the people, and be a chief among his kindred. 5. ]£e who never violates friendly feelings, exercising hospitality to others, shall be hospitably treated, honouring others he shall be honoured himself, and his praises and good name shall be spread abroad. 6. He who never violates friendly feelings, presenting offerings to others, he himself shall receive offerings, saluting others he shall receive salutations, and shall attain to honour and re¬ nown. 7. He who never violates friendly feelings shall shine as the fire, be resplendent as the gods, and never be deserted by prosperity. 8. He who never violates friendly feelings shall have fruitful cattle, abundant crops, and his chil¬ dren shall have prosperity. 9. The man who never violates friendly feelings, should he fall from a precipice, from a mountain, or from a tree, when he falls he shall be sustained (so as to receive no injury). 10. The man who never violates friendly feel¬ ings shall never be overthrown by enemies, even as the nigrodha-tree, firmly fixed by its spreading roots, stands unmoved by the winds. KARANtYA-METTA-SUTTA.—THE DISCOURSE NAMED raranIya-metta. I declare the Protection (or Paritta) by the power of which the demons shall display not dreadful sights; by which he who is diligently occupied by day or night may sleep securely, and sleeping see nothing evil. 1. These things must be attended to by the man wise in securing advantages who desires to ascer¬ tain the path to NibbAna. Let him be skilful, up¬ right, honest, mild in speech, gentle, free from arrogance. 2. Lot him be cheerful, contented, unencum¬ bered with business, with little property, having his passions under control, wise, temperate, not desirouB of obtaining much from those who assist him.
- t. e. Who maintains under all circumstances feelings of universal kindness and gentleness.
