Simhasanadvatrimshika 28.p2

28.p2

iti stutvā raṅgamaṇḍapa upaviṣṭaḥ. tasminn avasare kaścid dīnavadano mahājanaiḥ saha vādyapuraḥsaraṃ samāyātaḥ. rājā 'pi taṃ dṛṣṭvā manasi vicārayati: ayam eva devatābalinimittaṃ mahājanaiḥ samānītaḥ. tato 'tyantadīnavadano dṛśyate. asminn avasare mama śarīraṃ dattvā 'muṃ mocayiṣyāmi. idam śarīram śatavarṣāṇi sthitvā sarvathā nāśam eva yāsyati, ataḥ svadehavyayenā 'pi dharmaḥ kīrtiś co 'pārjanīyā. uktaṃ ca.

With this verse of praise he entered into the assembly pavilion. At this moment a certain man of wretched countenance came in, attended by a crowd of the people, and preceded by musical instruments. And seeing him the king reflected in his heart: "This is the very man who is being led hither for a sacrifice to the goddess by the people. That is why his countenance looks so downcast. At this moment I will give my own body, and cause him to be releast. Even if this body lasts a hundred years it must in any case come to destruction after all. Therefore one should acquire virtue and glory even at the expense of the body. And it is said: 2. Unstable is fortune, unstable is life, unstable is the body, and youth likewise; wholly unstable is the round of existence; and stable are (only) glory and virtue. And again: 3. Transitory are our bodies, our wealth lasts not forever, and death is always imminent; let a store of righteousness be accumulated. And so: 4. Wealth is like the dust of the feet; youth is like the rushing torrent of a mountain stream; human affairs are as uncertain and wavering as a drop of water; life is like sea-foam. If a man does not with steadfast purpose practise virtue, which unlocks the bolts of heaven, when bent with old age he is overcome with remorse, and burns in the fire of anguish."