Dighanikaya 5.337

5.337

Brāhmaṇaṃ āmantetvāti kasmā āmantesi? Ayaṃ kirevaṃ cintesi – ‘‘dānaṃ dentena nāma ekena paṇḍitena saddhiṃ mantetvā dātuṃ vaṭṭati, anāmantetvā katakammañhi pacchānutāpaṃ karotī’’ti. Tasmā āmantesi. Atha brāhmaṇo cintesi – ‘‘ayaṃ rājā mahādānaṃ dātukāmo, janapade cassa bahū corā, te avūpasametvā dānaṃ dentassa khīradadhitaṇḍulādike dānasambhāre āharantānaṃ nippurisāni gehāni corā vilumpissanti janapado corabhayeneva kolāhalo bhavissati, tato rañño dānaṃ na ciraṃ pavattissati, cittampissa ekaggaṃ na bhavissati, handa, naṃ etamatthaṃ saññāpemī’’ti tato tamatthaṃ saññāpento ‘‘bhoto, kho rañño’’tiādimāha.

“Having addressed the brahmin”: why did he address him? He thought, it is said: “When one gives a gift, one ought to give it having consulted with a wise person; for an action done without consulting leads to subsequent remorse.” Therefore he addressed him. Then the brahmin thought: “This king wishes to give a great gift, but there are many bandits in his countryside. If he gives the gift without pacifying them, bandits will plunder the houses left without men as people bring the requisites for the gift such as milk, curd, and husked rice; the countryside will become chaotic through the mere fear of bandits; and consequently the king’s gift will not last long, nor will his mind become unified. Well now, let me make him understand this matter.” Then, making him understand that matter, he said: “Sir, the king’s…” and so forth.