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14. 8) etc., it is all right; now how Gunasena, the son of the king, is your beneficial friend ? ” Hermit Agnis'arman said “O high-souled one, thus he is the beneficial friend; hear,
Those who are the best people adopt religion themselves; those of middle kind when impelled; and the low never. (48)
He who impels the soul, who is in the prison of the world, by any method, to religion, is a beneficial friend.” (49)
Then the king remembered his life as a prince; and said with the face bent down with shame "Revered sir, how then did he impel you to religion which is the relative of three worlds ?" Hermit Agnis'arman said “O hight-souled one, the impellings are of various types. Somehow therefore, I am impelled only by some cause." Then the king thought "How great he is ! Even the insult is taken by him as a beneficial impelling. He not only avoids the scandal of others but also out of the purity of his disposition, does not even believe in it. Alas, a horrible improper action (14) is done by me whose deeds are sinful! I will then reveal myself as tainted with the blot of having done an improper action." Thinking so, he said “Revered sir, I am the same horrible sinner who brought torments to your heart; and who possesses the host of demerits." Hermit Agnis'arman said "O king, I welcome you; how do you call yourself one possessing a host of demerits, by whom I, whose prosperity consists only in leading life with the morsels of others, am brought to this acquirement of austerities ?" The king said “What magnanimity! What else except sweet things, do hermits know to speak ? Never from the
