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The Seventieth Chapter
253
A certain forest dweller, fearless like a lion, disregarded his own pleasures, was extremely intense in his actions, and possessed a fierce determination. || 123 ||
I entrusted both those princes to him. He also said to them, "You both have committed a great sin, therefore you should not remember happiness, now you will have to suffer difficult pain." || 124 ||
One should remember the beloved deity in the heart for the sake of the afterlife. Hearing this, both of them said to me, "O Bhadra! Do not punish us both with hardship, we are doing this work ourselves, that is, we are eager to take punishment ourselves." || 125 ||
Saying this, both of them, by their own hands, obtained intense pain and became ready for the afterlife. Seeing this, I fulfilled my desired purpose and returned. O King! In this way, your intention has been fulfilled. || 126-127 ||
Hearing the minister's words, the king became overwhelmed with great sorrow and stood motionless for a while like a still tree in a windless place. || 128 ||
Thereafter, the king decided with himself, his ministers, and his relatives, and then said to the minister, "You should always do what is beneficial, what you have done today has never been done by you before." || 129 ||
The minister said, "Just as a group of rays that has passed away and a flower that has withered on a snake-infested tree, it is not appropriate to grieve over it, in the same way, this has also become past, therefore you should not grieve over it now." || 130 ||
Hearing the minister's words, the king asked, "What is the real truth?" Then the minister, who knew the king's intention, said, "Many ascetics live in the caves and dense forests of the mountains, they have conquered their enemies, the passions and objects of desire, with the stream of their sword of patience, they are constantly engaged in protecting all beings, both gross and subtle. Their fear has as if fled from fear itself, and anger does not come near them as if due to anger itself. They always disregard worldly pleasures and enjoyments like those who are unrestrained. Both those princes, having heard the good conduct of those ascetics, became detached and initiated. Hearing the minister's clear words, the king was very satisfied." || 131-135 ||
"You are the one who benefits both worlds." Thus praising the minister, the king thought, "These enjoyments are like an evil son, the cause of sin and slander." || 136 ||