Bhojaprabandha 87_281

87_281

In this manner, when some time had passed, the eminent scholar Bāṇa, although honored to the highest degree by the king, experienced poverty due to past karma. Such being the state of affairs, the king once went out alone at night in disguise, wandering through his city, and came and stood by Bāṇa's house. At that time, in the middle of the night, Bāṇa, agitated by poverty, said to his beloved wife: "My dear, how many times has the king fulfilled my desire! Even today, if requested again, he would certainly give. However, in the continuous practice of begging, even a fool's tongue becomes paralyzed." Having said this, he remained silent for half a muhūrta.