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164 TWO PRAKRIT VERSIONS OF THE MAŅIPATI-CARITA 359. He would eat the alms out of greed and then vomit what
he had eaten and the food was not digested; and so he
became a leper through disregard. 360. The man who disregards an illness, an evil-natured
friend, an enemy or a wife of bad conduct later falls
into piteous misery. 361. Suffering from leprosy he oozed pus and blood continu
ously. Then the leading men informed the king :
Your majesty, 362. he is suffering from an infectious disease and is loathsome
even from afar; therefore sir, for him to eat in the
best kitchens seems extremely repellant. 363. By touching of pots and pans, by vomiting and by eating
and sleeping together there is contagion of diseases.' 364. With the king's approval the notables said to Sețuka :
You remain in your house and send your sons to the
king.' 365. He accepted their advice and sent his sons everywhere.
In the course of time they began to intimidate their
father. 366. Afterwards they had a hut built for him outside the house.
separated from his sons and daughters-in-law. 367. He began to think : . They have attained prosperity
through my wealth and now they scorn me. 368. Bulls ungratefully smash in with their horns the banks
of streams from which when thirsty they draw water. 369. The Pulindas dig up the roots of the very palāśā tree
from whose leaves they get food, from whose flowers
garlands and from whose bark perfume. 370. Self-conceited and ungrateful the lotuses mock that same
moon by whose grace they were made to expand. 371. Similarly the Sabaras burn the Vindhya mountain thanks
to which they have been exempted from excessive heat;
contact with the wicked is perdition. 72. I will make them tear themselves with their own nails,
I will make them fall into great misery. So he called his sons
