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Simhasanadvatrimshika 5

English (machine translation) 5

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English

5.p1

Again, as the king was about to sit on the throne, another statuette said: "Only one who possesses the generosity of Vikrama may sit upon this throne." King Bhoja said: "O statuette, tell the story of Vikrama's generosity." The statuette said: "O King, listen. Once, while Vikramārka was ruling the kingdom, a certain jewel merchant arrived and placed a priceless gem in the king's hand. Seeing the blazing gem, the king summoned examiners and said: 'O examiners! What is this gem like? Determine whether it is genuine or not, and appraise its value.' Having inspected that gem, they said: 'O King, this gem is beyond price. If it is purchased without knowing its value, it will be a grave offense on our part.' Hearing their words, the king gave a great amount of wealth and said: 'O merchant, is there another gem like this?' He said: 'Sire, similar gems have not been brought here, but in [my] village there are ten such gems.'

5.p2

"If there is a need, then determine their price and purchase them." Then the king had an appraisal made by jewel examiners of six crores of gold coins for each one; that much gold was given to that merchant, and a certain trustworthy servant was sent with him, and instructed: "O jeweler, if you return with the gems within eight days, I will give you an appropriate [reward]." He said: "Sire, within eight days I will behold your feet; otherwise, I deserve punishment." Having spoken thus, that jeweler went to his town with that merchant; [the merchant] gave him those ten gems. Taking those gems, as he was returning on the road, a heavy rain fell. Owing to that rain, a river flowed, overflowing both its banks. Then, unable to cross to the other shore, he said to a boatman standing on that bank: "O helmsman, ferry me across this river." He said: "O traveler, today this river is overflowing its banks; how can you be ferried across? Furthermore, a wise man should avoid crossing a great river. And so it is said:

5.1

"One should shun from afar crossing a great river,
quarreling with a great man,
and opposing a multitude of people. || 1

5.p3

And likewise:

5.2

"One should place no trust at all in the conduct of women,
in the full crossing of a river, in the favor of a king,
in friendship with a serpent, or in the affection of a merchant. || 2 ||"

5.p4

The jeweler said: "O helmsman, what you have said is indeed true; [but] I have an important matter [to accomplish]; special duty is stronger than general duty. And so it is said:

5.3

"A particular rule is surely stronger than a general rule;
or let it be seen here that usually what is prior is set aside by what comes later. || 3

5.p5

Therefore, my task of crossing the river is common; royal service is paramount." The helmsman said: "What is that great royal service?" The jeweler said: "If I do not return to the presence of the king today with the ten gems, the king will punish me for disobeying his command." The boatman said: "Then, if you give me five gems from among those gems, I will ferry you across the river." Then the jeweler, having given five gems from among them to that boatman, crossed the river, came into the king's presence, and placed five gems in his hand. The king said: "O jeweler, have you brought only five gems? What was done with the remaining five gems?" The jeweler said: "Sire, listen; I make my report. Departing from this city, I went to his town with that merchant; he gave me ten gems. Taking them and setting out from that town, as I was coming along the road, an extremely heavy rain arose. Because of it, a river flowed with fresh water, overflowing both its banks. Considering that I had to behold the master's feet within eight days, I gave five gems to the boatman to cross the river, and brought five. If I had not arrived within eight days, there would have been distress in the master's mind owing to the violation of the command. And it is said:

5.4

"Violation of a command to kings, crushing the pride of brahmins,
and a separate bed for women—these are called slaughter without a weapon. || 4

5.p6

Considering this, they were given." The king too, having heard his statement, being exceedingly pleased, gave the remaining five gems to that jeweler. Having narrated this tale, the statuette said to King Bhoja: "O King, Vikramāditya was preeminent in the virtue of generosity. If such generosity exists in you, then sit upon this throne." Hearing this, the king remained silent. Thus ends the fifth tale.

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