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IV, 6, 48.
OF MILINDA THE KING.
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remorse. When remorse has arisen there is an obstruction in the heart. To him whose heart is obstructed there is no comprehension of the Truth ?."
Why should there then be no such comprehension to one not aware of his offence, feeling no remorse, remaining with a quiet heart. This dilemma touches on two irreconcilable statements. Think well before you solve it.
47. 'Would selected seed?, O king, successfully sown in a well-ploughed, well-watered, fertile soil, come to maturity?'
Certainly, Sir!'
But would the same seed grow on the surface of a thick slab of rock ?'
Of course not.'
Why then should the same seed grow in the mud, and not on the rock ?'
Because on the rock the cause for its growth does not exist. Seeds cannot grow without a cause.'
Just so, O king, the cause by reason of which his comprehension of the Truth (his conversion) might have been brought about, has been rooted out in him. Conversion cannot take place without a cause.
48. '[Give me, Sir, another simile :.'] "Well, O king, will sticks and clods and cudgels *
1 This passage has not yet been traced in the Pitakas.
Sâradam bigam. "Seed which will give sára. It has nothing to do with sâradam, autumn. See Samyutta Nikaya XXII, 24.
* Added from the Simhalese (p. 362). It is not in the Pâli.
* Lakuta, not in Childers. But see below (p. 301 of the Pali text). It is probably the same Dravidian word as appears in the Sanskrit dictionaries as laguda.
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