大方便佛報恩經 4.33

4.33

「爾時主人即隨意供給，送到利師跋城多人眾處，安隱還歸。善友善巧彈箏，其音和雅，悅可眾心。一切大眾皆共供給飲食，乃至充足利師跋道上五百乞兒，皆得飽滿。時國王有一果園，其園茂盛，常患鳥雀。時守園監語善友言：『為我防護鳥雀，我當好相供給。』善友答言：『我無兩目，云何能為汝驅馳鳥雀耶？』守園監言：『我有方便。我以繩結諸樹頭，安施銅鈴。汝坐樹下，聞鳥雀聲，牽挽繩頭。』善友答言：『如是我能。』將至樹下，安隱住已，即捨而去。善友防護鳥雀，兼復彈箏以自娛樂。時利師跋王女將諸侍從入園觀看，見此盲人，即往其所，問言：『汝是何人？』答言：『盲乞人耳。』王女見已，心生愛念，不能捨離。王復遣使，往喚其女。女言：『不去。為我送食。』共此盲人飲食訖竟，白大王言：『王今持我與此盲人，甚適我願。』王言：『汝鬼魅所著，顛狂心亂，云何共是盲人共居？汝不知耶？父母先以汝許與波羅奈王善友太子。善友今者，入海未還。汝今云何為乞人作婦？』女言：『雖爾，乃至捨命，終不捨離。』王聞是語，不能拒逆。即遣使者，將盲人來，閉著靜室。

"The master then provided for him according to his wishes, escorted him to a place crowded with people in the city of Ṛṣabha, and returned home in peace. Kalyāṇamitra was skilled at playing the zither; its tones were harmonious and elegant, delighting the minds of the multitude. The entire crowd joined together to supply him with food and drink, even enough to satisfy five hundred beggars on the road of Ṛṣabha, who all ate their fill. At that time, the king of the country had an orchard that was flourishing and luxuriant, but constantly troubled by birds. The orchard keeper said to Kalyāṇamitra: 'Guard against the birds for me, and I will provide well for you.' Kalyāṇamitra replied: 'I have no eyes; how can I chase away the birds for you?' The orchard keeper said: 'I have a method: I will tie ropes to the tops of the trees and attach bronze bells. When you sit under a tree and hear the sound of birds, pull on the end of the rope.' Kalyāṇamitra replied: 'That I can do.' He led him beneath a tree, and having settled him there comfortably, he left. Kalyāṇamitra guarded against the birds while also playing the zither to entertain himself. At that time, the daughter of King Ṛṣabha went with her attendants into the orchard to view it. Seeing this blind man, she approached him and asked: 'Who are you?' He replied: 'Merely a blind beggar.' When the princess saw him, love arose in her heart, and she could not bear to leave him. The king again sent an envoy to summon his daughter. The daughter said: 'I am not going. Bring food for me.' After finishing eating and drinking with this blind man, she said to the great king: 'For the king to give me to this blind man now would perfectly suit my wish.' The king said: 'You are possessed by a demon, mad and deranged! How could you live together with this blind man? Do you not know? Your parents previously promised you to Prince Kalyāṇamitra of the king of Vārāṇasī. Kalyāṇamitra has gone out to sea and not yet returned. How can you become a beggar's wife now?' The daughter said: 'Even so, even if it costs my life, I will never leave him.' Hearing these words, the king could not refuse. He immediately dispatched an envoy to bring the blind man and shut him in a quiet room.