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V, 27.
PRAISING NIRVANA.
317 pleasure or pain, caring not for life, desiring only rest (Nirvana)! 2159.
'Causing those not yet converted to obtain conversion! those not yet saved to be saved ! those not yet at rest to find rest! those not yet enlightened to be enlightened ! 2160
(Thus) the Muni (taught) the way of rest for the direction of all living things! alas ! that any transgressing the way of holiness should practise impure (not right) works. 2161
'Even as at the end of the great kalpa, those holding the law who die (or, are dead ), (when) the rolling sound of the mysterious thunder-cloud severs, the forests, upon these there shall fall the rain of sweet dew (immortality). 2162
The little elephant breaks down the prickly forest, and by cherishing it we know that it can profit men ; but the cloud that removes the sorrow of the elephant old-ages, this none can bear8. 2163
He by destroying systems of religion (sights, i.e. modes of seeing, darsanas) has perfected his
1 The literal translation of this passage is curious : Even as at the end of the great kalpa, those holding the law, asleep; the mysterious cloud rolling forth its cracking (thunder), riving the forests, there descends as rain sweet dew. The end of the great kalpa is the consummation of all things : 'the religious who sleep' would mean the good who are dead; the cracking thunder and riven forests' would point to a general overthrow; 'the rain of sweet dew' seems to refer to the good who sleep, receiving immortality, or perfection of life.
3.The little elephant' may mean the young elephant' in its literal sense ; or it may refer to the young disciple. By cherishing it we know' may also be rendered 'knowledge-cherishing' is able, &c.
8 "The cloud removing the elephant old and sorrowful;' but what is the cloud' and who the elephant ?'
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| SR No. | 007676 |
| Book Title | Text of Confucianism Part 02 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | James Legge |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1882 |
| Total Pages | 2405 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 43 MB |