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## Chapter 274: The Scattering of the Eager Refusal
Others said, "He is worthy of good conduct, Skandaka asked." "I will go to my own country, if there is an order from the Lord," he said. ||13||
The Lord of the world said, "There will be a calamity near the end." Hearing this, Skandaka said, "This is a calamity for all." ||14||
"For those who practice devotion, there is no calamity. It is a cause of sorrow for those who desire great joy!" ||15||
"Then tell me, O Lord! When that calamity arrives, will we be devotees or will we be tormentors?" ||16||
The Lord said, "Except for you, all others are devotees." Hearing this, Skandaka, eager, wiped his eyes. ||17||
"There are devotees in the monastery where the virtuous reside. Surely this is auspicious," Skandaka thought and remained steadfast. ||18||
Gradually, he went to the potter's place, with his belongings. The king heard about the sage who had settled in the garden. ||19||
Then, to prevent any impurity, the king secretly hid various weapons in the garden. ||20||
He told the queen, "Skandaka has arrived here, defeated by the Pariṣahas." ||21||
"He himself is very powerful, with fierce arms and strong blows. He is accompanied by five hundred soldiers, wearing the garb of virtuous men. ||22||
"He has hidden terrible weapons in the garden, and is going to kill you and take over the kingdom!" ||23||
"If you don't believe me, O Lord, go to the garden and see the hidden weapons!" ||24||
Thus, urged by him, the king went to the garden. He saw various weapons in the places indicated by the king's servant. ||25||
Seeing them, the king became angry and bound all the monks. "There is no wrong for those who act without thinking." ||26||
"It is the fault of the king's servant. Binding them, the king handed them over, saying, "Do whatever you wish with them!" ||27||
Like a cat finding mice, he was delighted. He brought the bound monks to the torture device. ||28||
"Remember your beloved deity! Now I will torture you all with this device." ||29||
Then, those virtuous, fearless monks, knowing that death was near, their minds free from the desire for life and fear of death, ||30||
looked at each other properly, and adopted a friendly attitude. They all performed their final devotions according to the rules. ||31||
"Even the fearful and the brave must die. Both must face death with courage." ||32||
Thus, encouraged by Skandaka, they became especially fearless, even in the face of death. ||33||
The cruel-minded, cruel-acting, cruel-speaking king then threw each monk into the device, torturing them one by one. ||34||
Seeing his own people being tortured, Skandaka felt a burning pain within. He was bound near the device. ||35||
Even though he was surrounded by the blood of the monks, Skandaka did not waver. ||36||