經律異相 33.41

33.41

使者執書至德叉尸羅國。時彼人民見此書至。念鳩那羅故共隱此書而不與之。彼諸人民復更思惟。阿育大王甚自可畏心不敬信。於其自兒尚欲取眼。況於我等而不起惡。以書與鳩那羅。鳩那羅得書已。語諸人言。若能取我眼者今隨汝意。時人即喚旃陀羅。汝當挑取鳩那羅眼。旃陀羅合掌說言。我今不能。

The envoy carried the letter to the kingdom of Takṣaśilā. When the people there saw this letter arrive, because they loved Kuṇāla, they concealed the letter together and did not give it to him. But the people reflected further: "The great King Aśoka is very formidable, and his heart lacks faith; he would even take the eyes of his own son, how much more might he harbor evil against us?" They gave the letter to Kuṇāla. Having received the letter, Kuṇāla told the people, "If anyone can take my eyes, I now yield to your wish." The people then called a caṇḍāla: "You must gouge out Kuṇāla's eyes." The caṇḍāla joined his palms and said, "I cannot do it now."