Shikshasamuccaya 301

301

The ten unwholesome courses of action are disastrous. Their bitter ripening is to be observed from the Saddharmasmṛtyupasthāna[sūtra]. A small portion of that sūtra is indicated here. First, a mere fraction of the ripening of taking life: as it says: "For instance, there are birds named Flame-Rangers, which do not burn when inside the flames; exultant, they split the skulls of hell beings and drink their blood. There are birds named Skull-Dwellers, which split the head and drink the blazing brain. There are birds named Tongue-Meat-Eaters, which tear out the tongue and devour it on all sides. Even after being eaten, that tongue grows back, softer than a lotus petal. Similarly, named according to their functions, there are the Tooth-Uprooters; the Throat-Trachea-Extractors; the Lung-Devourers; the Stomach-Eaters; the Spleen-Crushers; the Entrail-Cavity-Eaters; the Backbone-Rangers; birds named Vital-Organ-Hiders, which breach all openings to the vital organs, slice through the vital organs, enter the cavities, and drink the marrow-essence of those who are crying out; birds named Needle-Piercers, which have beaks like needles and drink blood; similarly, the Bone-Cavity-Eaters; the Six-Skin-Eaters; the Nail-Clippers; the Fat-Eaters; the Sinew-Renders; and birds named Hair-Tangle-Eaters, which tear out the roots of the hair.