經律異相 37.13

37.13

There was an upāsaka who went abroad to do business with a group of merchants. Encountering cold weather and snow while travelling at night, he was separated from his companions and lodged in a stone cave. At that time, a mountain spirit transformed into the form of a woman and came to test him, saying: / "White snow covers heaven and earth; / Birds and beasts all hide away. / I alone have none to rely on; / I only pray you will have pity on me." / The upāsaka covered his ears with both hands and said: / "Shameless, vile person, / Uttering these impure words! / May water wash you away and fire burn you; / I do not wish to see or hear you. / Even towards a wife my mind has no lust; / How much less would I commit illicit intercourse! / The pleasures of desire are shallow and flimsy; / Great suffering is truly profound and terrifying." / Hearing this, the mountain spirit lifted him up with both hands and carried him back among his companions. (Extracted from the seventeenth volume of the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa.)