________________
FO-SHO-HING-TSAN-KING.
II, 6.
0
But the heavenly powers urged me on, causing me to hasten the preparation (of the horse), but what is the intention that urges the prince, to resolve thus to leave his secure palace? 448
• The people of Kapilavastu, and all the country afflicted with grief; your father, now an old man, mindful of his son, loving him moreover tenderly; 449
Surely this determination to leave your home, this is not according to duty; it is wrong, surely, to disregard father and mother,—we cannot speak of such a thing with propriety! 450
Gotami, too, who has nourished you so long, fed you with milk when a helpless child, such love as hers cannot easily be forgotten; it is impossible surely to turn the back on a benefactor; 451
*The highly gifted (virtuous) mother of a child, is ever respected by the most distinguished families 3 ; to inherit distinction and then to turn round, is not the mark of a distinguished man: 452
'The illustrious child of Yasodharå, who has inherited a kingdom, rightly governed, his years now gradually ripening, should not thus go away from and forsake his home; 453
But though he has gone away from his royal father, and forsaken his family and his kin, forbid it
1 To hasten on the decoration, i.e. the harnessing, of the horse. & Or, thinking his son beloved and in security.
* Illustrious families or tribes are strong, or able to wait upon or respect. There seems to be a play here on two words: first, shing, illustrious or distinguished, alluding to the Sâkyas as a race of Ginas or conquerors; secondly, neng, able, alluding to the origin of the word Säkya, i.e. able.
• To obtain distinction;' still referring to the word shing; also in the next lines. Consult also p. 28, note a supra.
Digiized by Google
