Gaudavaho

Author(s): Vakpatiraj, Narhari Govind Suru, P L Vaidya, A N Upadhye, H C Bhayani
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 549

252
Gaüdavaho
different for a time. A wicked man will be seen ultimately in his true colours though he may hide it for a time under the cloak of honesty. The reddish-yellow colour of a filament has been inherited from saffron and therefore will be in common (Propout) with the colour (T2T) of saffron.
967. It is not necessary that all the good points in man have to be observed. Even a partial picture of merits (3T#staytur), as noticed ( fast) in a good man, is sufficient for men of noble, open-hearted nature (Heftet) to praise him. Half the part of a gem, held in a hand , is kept away from view (TF3T); but nobody tries to split it (facris) into pieces to look what it contains inside.
968. Absence of faults in a man is as good as a positive possession of a merit in him, provided he is unaffected by a feeling of jealousy or envy (pogafout for those who have merits. For instance, not every man is a poet. If, however, he is not jealous of those who have this talent, he may be looked upon as essentially a good man. Unfortunately, however, such is not the case. There is that ingrained (fast) vanity ( 318 97T) in man, which always troubles (he) him and which makes him jealous of the men of merits, as of men in affluence (Fakat). He cannot bear the idea that they should be talented or rich, while he has remained a pauper in life.
969. We find that wealth alone has become a criterion for respect (TTT). Men, highly esteemed (3787fa37) for their merits or talents, go down in public estimation, if they have not even an iota of wealth (euraot ti3T). A poor man, howsoever learned, has no value in the eyes of the people. For this reason (aui fast), I do humble myself and bow down at the feet of wealth (fagator OHHT), and say that I shall have nothing to do with wealth (ats fasaf), which I willingly forego. Cf. giri fanart fonfae fauäfefa fawafararda PH 1 Com.
970. Good men, howsoever learned, are ignored and no awards or gifts of wealth (afquitat) are made to them. Although so neglected, they take heart (rifa) in one thing viz. that for some people at least (Tror for their merits, howsoever meagre (for ), have given a certain amount of pleasure and satisfaction (FTA).