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SAMBHAVAJINACARITRA
231
practice of dharma is the fruit of the perishable body, just like the eating of prepared food. The acquisition of an imperishable state by the perishable body, though easy to do, is not done by bewildered people, alas! So today I shall undertake without hesitation to buy the wealth of nirvāņa with this body, and shall bestow the kingdom on my son."
After these reflections, eagerly the King had the doorkeeper call his son, Vimalakirti, dear to fame. His hands folded submissively, the prince bowed with extreme devotion to the feet of his father as if he were a powerful divinity, and spoke as follows:
Please favor me with an important command. not be anxious at the thought, 'My son is a child.' what enemy-king shall I seize the land today? What mountain-king together with his mountain shall I subdue? What enemy living in a fortress on water together with the water shall I destroy? Any one else who is a thorn in your flesh, I shall quickly remove. Though a boy, I am your son, able to subdue what is difficult to subdue. This power belongs to my father alone. I do not consider my
self a soldier."
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The King replied: There is no king hostile to me. No mountain-king crosses my speech; no lord of an island transgresses my command, for whose conquest I send you forth, O long-armed son. But, living in earthly existence is the only thing that constantly torments me. Therefore, take the burden of the world, ornament of the family, fitted to bear burdens. Take this kingdom in turn, as I took it, that I may take initiation at once and give up living in worldly existence. Recalling the command of the elder which must not be transgressed and your own promise made just now, son, you can act only with devotion, not otherwise."
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The prince thought, "Alas! I am deprived of an answer by my father giving a command and recalling my promise." After this reflection, the King took the
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