________________
BOOK I, LECTURE 4, CHAPTER I.
273
consequences, a worthy monk should have no intercourse with women. (10)
Therefore he should avoid women, knowing them to be like a poisoned thorn. He is no Nirgrantha who without companion (goes into) houses, being a slave (to passion) and preaches (his religion). (11)
Those who are attached to this sinful (intercourse) must be reckoned among the wicked. Even a monk who practises severe austerities should avoid the company of women. (12)
A monk should have no intercourse with his daughters and daughters-in-law, with nurses or female slaves, or with grown-up girls. (13)
When the relations and friends see (the intimacy of a monk with a girl), they become angry (saying): *All creatures love pleasures; you are a man, protect and support her.' (14)
But some become angry even when they see an innocent Sramana, and suspect the fidelity of their wives because of the dishes they serve up. (15)
Those who have intercourse with (women) have already ceased to practise meditation ; Sramanas, therefore, for the benefit of their souls, do not go to the apartments (of women). (16)
Though many leave the house, some (of them) arrive but at a middling position (between householder and monk); they merely talk of the path to perfection. The force of sinners is talking. (17)
In the assembly he pronounces holy (words), yet secretly he commits sins; but the wise know him to be a deceiver and great rogue. (18)
1 There is a saying in German: Eine verliebte Köchin versalzt den Brei, 'a cook in love spoils the soup.' The commentators put different constructions on the last part of the sentence,
[45]
