Simhasanadvatrimshika 6.p3

6.p3

In that pleasure grove, adorned with such various trees and flowers, in a pleasure house whose walls were inlaid with sapphires, whose courtyard was made of lovely moonstones, and which was perfumed with various kinds of incense, the king sported for a long time together with women of the four kinds, such as the padminī, who were adorned with fine garments, betel, flowers, and ornaments. Near that grove was a temple of Caṇḍikā. A certain student of the Veda was residing there. Seeing the king arriving there, he thought in his heart: “Ah, my life is being spent in vain practicing austerities! Not even in a dream have I experienced the least pleasure. What sense is there in spending one's time in misery as long as one lives, only to enjoy the fruit of asceticism after death? Others say that the pleasure of the senses is pierced by sorrow and should be avoided by an intelligent person; but this is the reasoning of fools. And it is said: