大般涅槃經義記 4.284

4.284

第二偈中，佛先舉偈，文殊次難，後佛釋通。初中，如來昔為誡約波斯匿王、妃后、太子，故說此偈。兩偈上半誡約妃后，兩偈下半誡諸王子，以其慢高故須誡之。「一切江河必有曲」者，喻諸妃后諂曲向王，為王寵愛，不應慢高；「一切叢林必名木」者，喻王自在，必受安樂；王子未同，不應生慢，「女人必諂」合前上半，「自在必樂」合前後半。

In the second verse, the Buddha first raises the verse, Mañjuśrī next challenges it, and afterwards the Buddha explains and resolves it. In the first part, the Tathāgata in the past uttered this verse in order to admonish King Prasenajit, his queens and consorts, and the princes. The first half of both verses admonishes the queens and consorts, while the second half of both verses admonishes the princes, needing to admonish them because their pride was lofty. "All rivers must have bends" serves as a metaphor for the queens and consorts flattering and bending toward the king to win his favor and affection, [warning that] they should not be haughty and proud; "all thickets must have famous trees" serves as a metaphor for the king possessing sovereignty and necessarily enjoying peace and happiness; the princes are not yet equal [to him] and should not give rise to pride. "Women are necessarily flattering" corresponds to the preceding first half; "sovereignty necessarily brings happiness" corresponds to the preceding second half.