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260
FO-SHO-HING-TSAN-KING.
V, 23.
By this, without the use of wings, we fly through space, we cross the river needing not a handy boat; but without this a man will find it hard indeed to cross (the stream of) sorrow (or, stay the rush of sorrow). 1797
As when a tree with lovely flowers and fruit, pierced by some sharp instrument, is hard to climb, so is it with the much-renowned for strength and beauty, who break through the laws of moral rectitude! 1798
'Sitting upright in the royal palace (the palace of the conqueror) the heart of the king was grave and majestic 1; with a view to gain the merit of a pure and moral life, he became a convert of a great Rishi. 1799
"With garments dyed and clad with hair, shaved, save one spiral knot* (he led a hermit's life), but, as he did not rule himself with strict morality, he was immersed in suffering and sorrow. 1800
'Each morn and eve he used the three ablutions, sacrificed to fire and practised strict austerity, let his body be in filth as the brute beast, passed through fire and water, dwelt amidst the craggy rocks, 1801
Inhaled the wind, drank from the Ganges' stream, controlled himself with bitter fasts—but all! far short of moral rectitude: 1802
: 1 This line is difficult ; I was prepared to regard Datu as a proper name. Dr. Legge, however, has kindly suggested the translation in the text. But who is the king referred to?
"The spiral knot of hair may be seen in many of the sculptures (e. g. plate lxx, Tree and Serpent Worship).
This is a free rendering, I have supposed that the description throughout refers to the king' alluded to above; this line may mean, '(he did all this) having put aside right morals.'
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