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Simhasanadvatrimshika 19

English (machine translation) 19

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English

19.p1

Again, as the king was about to sit upon the throne, another statuette said: "O King, if you possess the qualities of generosity and the like that Vikrama possessed, then sit upon this throne." The king said: "O statuette, tell the story of his generosity." She said: "O King, listen. While Vikrama ruled the earth, the heart of every single person was filled with joy: brahmins were devoted to the six rites, women were faithful to their husbands, men lived a hundred years, trees were constantly bearing fruit, the rain-cloud rained at will, the earth was ever full of crops; the people feared sin, honored guests, had compassion for living beings, served their elders, and gave gifts to worthy recipients—such was the conduct among the subjects. Then, one day, the king sat upon his throne. Seated there in the assembly, what sort of feudatories and princes were they? Some had reciters of praise recite their titles; some, haughty, praised their own arm's strength by themselves; some bearded youths, skilled in the use of the twenty-six staff-weapons, laughed with one another; some were inclined to protect those who sought refuge; some were mindful regarding the other world; some amassed merit—princes of such kinds served the king. Then a hunter came, bowed to the king, and said: 'O Lord, in the midst of the forest a huge boar, shaped like a mountain of collyrium, has arrived. Come, Lord, and see it.' Hearing his words, the king went to the forest along with those very princes; he saw the boar inside a bower situated on a riverbank. Then, hearing the tumult of the warriors, that boar came out from that bower. Thereupon, all the princes, in mutual rivalry, displaying the dexterity of their own hands, hurled the twenty-six weapons at it. Disregarding those weapons, that boar eluded all the princes and entered a cave inside a mountain. The king too, pursuing behind it, went to the mountain. Seeing a cave entrance there on the mountain, he entered the cave entrance by himself and went some distance in great darkness. Further on, there was a great light. Then, at some distance, he saw an exceedingly charming city, having ramparts made of gold, adorned with white, cloud-scraping palaces, decorated with temples, groves, and the like, adorned with market-streets filled with all goods, crowded with wealthy people, and frequented by various luxurious folk. Entering there, as he walked along the market-street, he saw an exceedingly charming royal palace resembling the disc of the sun. There Bali, the son of Virocana, was reigning. The king entered the royal palace; Bali, who was seated on his throne, came up quickly, embraced him, seated him on an exceedingly beautiful throne, and asked: 'O master, whence have you come?' Vikrama said: 'I have come to see you.' Bali said: 'Today I am blessed; today my lineage is purified and my riches have borne fruit, since by abundant merit you have come to our house. Today our family lineage is virtuous.

19.1

Today, after a very long time, this house of mine has become praiseworthy, / having obtained grace by the touch of your lotus feet. || 1

19.p2

Vikrama said: 'O King, your inner heart is purified; your birth alone is praiseworthy; Nārāyaṇa, the lion of Vaikuṇṭha in bodily form, came to your abode as a suppliant; who are people like us?' Bali said: 'Master, what is the reason for your coming?' Vikrama said: 'O lord of the Dānavas, I came only to see you, there is no other reason.' Bali said: 'If the master has come having formed a friendship with me, then, showing grace to me, you must ask for some object.' Vikrama said: 'I lack nothing; by your grace, I too am complete with all things.' Bali said: 'O master, did I say that you had a lack? It was said with a view to friendship; for they describe the mark of a friend in this way. And it is said:

19.2

He gives, he receives, he tells a secret, he asks [about it], / he eats, and he feeds [others]—sixfold is the mark of affection. || 2

19.3

Affection does not arise for anyone in any way without a favor; / for gods grant desired desires through gifts offered upon request. || 3

19.p3

And likewise:

19.4

So long does affection exist in the world as a gift is given; / seeing the cessation of milk, the calf abandons its mother of its own accord. || 4

19.p4

And further:

19.5

I consider giving to be invariably dearer than even a son, / even to an animal devoid of discernment; / for when oilcake is given, see: a buffalo cow, even with her calf [present], / constantly yields all her milk! || 5

19.p5

Having spoken thus, Bali gave the elixir and the alchemy liquid to King Vikrama. Then the king, receiving his permission, departed from the subterranean realm, mounted his horse, and as he reached the royal road, an old brahmin seized by great distress, afflicted by poverty and accompanied by his son, approached, gave numerous blessings, and said: "O patron, I am a brahmin afflicted by extreme poverty, with a large family. Give me today, along with my family, some wealth sufficient for food. We are tormented by intense hunger." The king said: "O brahmin, at present there is no wealth in my hand, but there are two substances: the alchemy liquid and the elixir. When contact is made with this liquid, the seven metals turn into gold. And whoever takes this elixir will be free from old age and death. Take one of the two." Then the father said: "Let that elixir be given by which one becomes free from old age and death." The son said: "What is to be gained by that elixir? Even free from old age and death, one must still experience poverty. That liquid should be taken by which metal turns to gold upon contact." Thus a dispute arose between the two. Hearing their dispute, the king gave both the alchemy liquid and the elixir to them. Then, having praised the king, they went to their own home. And the king returned to Ujjayinī.

19.p6

Having told this story, the statuette said to the king: "O king, if such generosity is found in you, then sit upon this throne." The king remained silent. Thus ends the nineteenth tale.

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