Simhasanadvatrimshika 12.p9

12.p9

ato dāridryān maraṇam eva varam. uktaṃ ca:

Therefore death is better than poverty. And it is said: 10. 'Arise, my friend, and carry for just a moment the burden of my poverty, that poor weary I may at last enjoy the happiness that death has brought you!' Hearing this cry of a povertystricken wretch, the corpse in the graveyard held its peace, knowing well that death is much better than poverty. And so: 11. Hail to you, Poverty! By your grace I am become a magician! For tho I can see everybody, no man can see me at all. Again: 12. Dead is a poor man; dead is conjugal intercourse that leads not to children; dead is a gift to one that is not learned in the Sacred Word; dead is a sacrifice without a sacrificial fee."