Simhasanadvatrimshika f7.p20

f7.p20

Hearing that speech, the king was filled with wonder, and as he drew aside the curtain, Śāradānandana was seen in person; he was bowed to by all, beginning with the king. Then the minister related the previous story. Thereupon the king said to the learned minister: 'O minister, through association with you my misfortune and distress have vanished. Therefore a man should cultivate association with the good; through that, both purposes are achieved. For indeed: Service to the good wards off present and future misfortune, and the water of the Gaṅgā, when drunk, removes thirst and distress. 20 And furthermore: My son has been protected from great calamity. A king should make an alliance with good men of high birth like you. And it is said: He who associates with one not of noble birth [is] as [one who associates] with a snake; only that king is praised who is like a proper master of snake-lore. 21' Having thus praised the minister with various collections of praises and honoured him with garments and other gifts, the king ruled his kingdom.