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264
SÚTRAKRITÂNGA.
Come, child, let us go home; we can do all the work, you need not do it); the next time we shall take care (that you will not be overburdened with work); child, let us meanwhile go to our house. (6)
Afterwards you may go again ; by this (visit of yours) you will not cease to be a Sramana ; who will hinder you to practise control when you have done with worldly desires 1 ? (7)
All your outstanding debts we have divided between us, and we shall give you the money (required for) business. (8)
In this way (his relations) come to him, lamenting, and try to persuade him. Held fast by his attachment for his relations, he quickly returns to his house. (9)
As a creeper encircles a tree growing in the forest, so his relations press him hard that he should leave off control. (10)
He is held fast by his attachment for his relations. So the keepers always follow a newly-caught elephant, and a cow which has just calved never goes far (from the calf). (11)
Men do not (easily) get over this attachment, as (they do not get over) the ocean? For its sake the weak suffer pains, being engrossed by their attachment for their relations. (12)
But a monk should renounce it; for every attachment is but a cause of sin. He should not desire life, having been instructed in the best Law. (13)
There are these whirlpools which have been
1 Akâmagam. Another explanation is, if you are not willing (to do domestic work).
? Patâla, explained by samudra.
