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ARDHA-MAGADHT READER
weak net, even so wise men of exemplary character and famous for their austerities abandon pleasure and live as mendicants.' (35).
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71. "As the herons fly through the air, and the geese too, who had rent the net, even so my sons and my husband depart. Why should I, being left alone, not follow them?" (36).
72. When the queen had heard that the Purohita with his wife and sons had entered the order, abandoning pleasures and all his large property, she spoke to the king. (37).
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73. A man who returns, as it were, to the vomit, is not praised: but you want to confiscate the property' left by the Brahmana. (38)
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74. If the whole world and all treasures were yours, you would still not be satisfied, nor would all this be able to save you. (39).
75.
"Whenever you die, O king, and leave all pleasant things behind, the Law alone, and nothing else in this world, will save you, O monarch. (40) 76. As a bird dislikes the cage, so do I dislike the world. I shall live as a nun, without offspring, poor, upright, without desire, without love of gain, and without hatred. (41).
77,78. As when by a conflagration of a forest animals are burned, other beasts greatly rejoice, being under the influence of love and hate; even so we, fools that we are, being attached to pleasure, do
1. It was considered a privilege of the king to confiscate the property of a man who had no heir; Cf. Gautama XXVIII, 42, Vásishtha XVII 83-86 etc.
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