________________
76
THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA. II, 2, 8.
'Nay, great king, what is the use of asking that question again? Have I not already told you that if, when I die, [49] I die with craving in my heart, I shall; but if not, not1?'
'Give me an illustration.'
Suppose, O king, a man were to render service to the king and the king, pleased with him, were to bestow an office upon him. And then that he, while living through that appointment, in the full possession and enjoyment of all the pleasures of sense, should publicly declare that the king had repaid him naught. Now would that man, O king, be acting rightly?'
'Most certainly not.'
‘Just so, great king, what is the use of asking that question again? Have I not already told you that if, when I die, I die with craving in my heart, I shall; and if not, not?'
'You are ready, Nâgasena, in reply.'
4
""
8. The king said: 'You were talking just now of name-and-form. What does " name mean in that expression, and what "form"?'
'Whatever is gross therein, that is "form": whatever is subtle, mental, that is "name."
"
"
Why is it, Nâgasena, that name is not reborn separately, or form separately?'
'These conditions, great king, are connected one with the other; and spring into being together.'
'Give me an illustration.'
"
As a hen, great king, would not get a yoke or
1 See above, Chapter 1, § 6, p. 50.
2 This simile, with a different conclusion, recurs below, II, 3, 10 (p. 93).
Digitized by Google
