Simhasanadvatrimshika 28.p5

28.p5

evaṃ vicārya rājā tān mahājanān uvāca: bho mahājanāḥ, ayaṃ dīnavadanaḥ kutra nīyate? tair uktam: amuṃ devatāyai balinimittaṃ dāsyāmah. rājño 'ktam: kiṃ kāraṇam? tair uktam: devatā 'nena puruṣopahāreṇa tuṣṭā saty asmanmanorathaṃ pūrayiṣyati. rājño 'ktam: bho mahājanāḥ, ayam atyantālpatanuḥ paraṃ bhītaś ca. asya śarīropahāreṇa devatāyāḥ kā tṛptir bhaviṣyati? tasmād amuṃ muñcata; aham eva tadarthaṃ mama śarīraṃ dāsyāmi. ahaṃ puṣṭāṅgo 'smi, mama māṃsopahāreṇa devatā tṛptā bhaviṣyati. ato māṃ mārayitvā tasyai balir dīyatām. iti bhaṇitvā taṃ vimucya rājā svayam eva devatāyāḥ purato gatvā svakhaḍgaṃ yāvat kaṇṭhe pātayati, tāvad devatayā khaḍgaṃ dhṛtvā bhaṇitaḥ: bho mahāsattva, tava dhairyeṇa paropakāreṇa ca saṃtuṣṭā 'smi; varaṃ vṛṇīṣva. rājño 'ktam: bho devi, yadi mama prasannā 'si, tarhy adyaprabhṛti puruṣamāṃsopahāraṃ parityaja. devatayā tathā 'stv iti bhaṇitam.

Thus reflecting the king said to those people: "O people, whither are you taking this wretched-faced man?" They said: "We are going to give him to the goddess as an offering." The king said: "Why?" They replied: "The goddess will be propitiated by this human offering, and will grant our desires." The king said: "O people, this man is very small of stature, and exceedingly afraid. What pleasure will the goddess derive from the sacrifice of his body? So let him go, and I myself will give my body for this purpose. I have a well-developt body, and the goddess will be pleased with the offering of my flesh. Therefore have me killed, and let the sacrifice be made to her." Thus speaking the king set the man free, and went himself in front of the goddess; and as he was about to let his sword fall upon his throat, the goddess stayed the sword and said: "Great hero, I am appeased by your fortitude and benevolence; choose a wish." The king said: "O goddess, if you are propitiated, then from today on relinquish the sacrifice of human flesh." The goddess said: "So be it." The people said to the king: "O king, you bear suffering just for the sake of others, like a great tree, giving up all desire for your own happiness. For thus (it is said): 5. Renouncing desire for your own happiness, you suffer day after day for the sake of others. But this is only your natural behavior. For a tree endures the fierce heat with its crest, and with its shade relieves the burning of those who take refuge there.” And the king, taking leave of them, returned to his own city.