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CHAPTER XIV, 48–72.
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particularly one that was suffering, poor, and without a stipend. 59. At all times he was very diligent and active in prayer and fasting and the worship of the sacred being. 60. And one day, in prayer, he secretly begged a favour thus : 'Give me any enjoyment that is in daily food (rôzih), (61) that it may be easier for me to live.'
62. And an angel came down unto him and spoke thus: “The sacred being has not allotted thee, through the constellations', more daily food than this, (63) and it is not possible to allot anew; (64) but, as a recompense for worship and prayer, a throne whose four feet are of jewels is appointed for thee in heaven (va hist) by me, (65) and, if it be necessary, I will give unto thee one foot of that throne.'
66. That exalter of the apostles enquired of his own wife, (67) and the unfortunate one spoke thus : 'It is better for us to be content with the scanty daily food and bad living in the worldly existence, (68) than if our throne, among our companions in heaven, had three feet; (69) but if it may occur to thee then appoint us a day's food by another mode.'
70. At the second coming of that angel he spoke thus : 'But if I dissipate the celestial sphere, and produce the sky and earth anew, and construct and produce the motion of the stars anew, still thenceforth it is not clear whether thy destiny will fall out good or bad?'
71. From this statement it is, therefore, manifest that he is not himself the appointer of daily food and supreme, (72) distribution is not by his will,
1 Of the zodiac (see Mkh. XII, 5, 6, 8). . This tale is probably from the same source as the last.
Q2
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| SR No. | 007677 |
| Book Title | Saddharma Pundarika |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | H Kern |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1884 |
| Total Pages | 2546 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 46 MB |