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IN THE LAP OF CONDUCIVE DISCOMFORTS
69
Vaishali from his last camp at Siddharthpur Seeing the Lord, Syamak said, 'My Lord! I begin my performance on Veena What a happy coincidence that you grace this spot Pray, tarry a little so that I play it to you Let me show you my virtuosity in music and arts'
The Lord showed no deference to the prayer He walked onwards
One interpretation is that the Lord cold-shouldered him Since he was dry-as-dust and had no sentiments for fine arts and the artist's finesse 1 The alternative view is that he was suffused with the music of the planets that flooded his soul and had no desire for the lılting harmonies of an earthly Veena (5) The stage of Shravasti is crowded The king has ordered a drama” The troupe is said to be superb The chief of the troupe has learnt of the Lord's presence He entreated him to grace the theatre The Lord declined Said the actor, 'Are you not keen to witness a play?'
'No.' 'Don't the plays entertain you ?' 'Well, it's a question of one's liking' 'Can there be two opinions about fine arts'
'There is nothing that does not admit of a diversity of opinion
'The obtuse minds might suffer such a bewildering diversity You are a sage'
'The sage has no respite from his probe of truth He watches the rhythmic dance in every iota of nature Each of the paricles presents to him the rhythm, the vibration, the dynamism His suffusion with melody leaves nothing unmelodious for him A scholar of scriptures is never freed of perplexities Aknower of the self apperceives the ginger of life A donkey labours under the load of sandal but the prosperous man enjoys its cool perfume'
The artist bowed his head in humility and respectfully parted to attend to his vocation
1 'Acharangachurni' p 303 2 ibid p 303
