བསད་ནམས་ཀྱ་སྟབས་ཀྱ་རྟགས་པ་བརྗད་པ 2.7

2.7

While sitting together, they said to King Puṇyabala, ‘Well done, O Lord! Well done! You have been steadfast in your pledge. You have defeated us both in your pledge, as well as in power. Why? Because due to your merit, you have accomplished your objectives. You have become the sovereign master of a great kingdom.’

“Humbly, King Puṇyabala rose promptly from his lion throne and showed his brothers respect by seating them on seats fit for nobles. The brothers returned his respects, and then he sat back on the lion throne. From his throne, he delighted them by telling stories about their past, thus putting them at ease. After honoring them with great respect, he gave them all a considerable share of his wealth.

“Later, wishing to establish his brothers and the populace in merit-making, he addressed a large gathering:

“ ‘Lack of merit causes unbearable suffering to multiply,
And one is reborn in hell.
Those without merit will go
To the unbearable and forsaken animal destinies.

“ ‘Due to lack of merit, they will be reborn
As pretas who are tormented by hunger and thirst.
Due to lack of merit, they will become
Slaves who suffer deeply and endlessly.

“ ‘Due to lack of merit, they will become mute.
Due to lack of merit, they will become deaf.
Due to lack of merit, they will become dull,
Intellectually unstable, and mentally unsound.

“ ‘Due to lack of merit, they will have wrong understanding.
They will also become ugly.
Lack of merit causes beings to be born in the lowest castes,
Among those who are despised by the entire world.

“ ‘Due to lack of merit, they will become deluded
And hated by the world.
Due to lack of merit, they will become insane.
Due to lack of merit, enemies will appear.

“ ‘Due to lack of merit, despite striving for all their goals,