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own benefit. Of the four equal objects in life, the soul, alas! tries only for the evil-love and wealth, but not for dharma and emancipation. In this ocean of boundless saṁsāra, a human birth is very difficult for creatures to obtain, like a priceless jewel. Even though a human birth has been attained, the Blessed Arhat as a divinity and very good gurus are obtained as a result of merit. If we do not use the fruit of this human birth, we are robbed of it now (as if) by thieves in an inhabited town.54 Therefore, today we will impose the burden of the kingdom on Prince Mahabala, who is of martial age, and accomplish our own desire."
After these reflections Satabala summoned Mahabala and informed him, well-trained as he was, in regard to taking the kingdom. At his father's command he consented to bear the burden of the kingdom. For the noble are fearful of breaking the commands of their elders. Then Satabala seated Mahabala on the lionthrone, sprinkled him, and made the auspicious tilaka with his own hand. The new king, beautiful as a jasmine, shone with the tilaka of sandal like the eastern mountain with the moon. With his father's umbrella, white as a hansa's feather, he resembled lofty Himavat with an autumn-cloud. With a pair of beautiful chauris in motion, he resembled a cloud with a pair of white cranes. At his coronation the auspicious drum sounded with a very deep tone, making the heavens resound like the ocean at the rise of the moon. When all his ministers and vassals had met, they considered him a second Satabala in a different form.
54 264. Vasati pattane. For this use of vas, cf. the Rauhiṇeyacaritra 19.
Vasann eko varo grāmo dramakaś ca gṛham prati.
Every Indian Sanskritist with whom I have discussed the question insists that this is a perfectly regular use of the active of
vas.
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