A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.57

v2.c19.s3.t2.57

4. Like most portions of the Udāna, the Itivuttaka,³ ("'Thus spake Buddha" sayings⁴) also consists of prose and verse. Yet here the relationship between the two is essentially different. The prose is not narrative prose, but the same idea, whether it is a doctrine or an admonition, is presented partly in prose, partly in verse. In many cases, in about 50 of the 112 short pieces of which the work consists, an idea is first briefly expressed in prose and then repeated in verse, only deviating so far as the metrical form¹ demands. In a few cases only one verse has a counterpart in the prose, while several verses follow, to which nothing in the prose corresponds. In addition to these there are the numerous cases in which prose and verses supplement each other, whether the prose forms only a short introduction to the ideas expressed in the verses, or whether one aspect of an idea is treated in prose and the other in verse. In all these cases the spirit of the verses and of the prose is, on the whole, the same, and not infrequently an idea is expressed more clearly and more pointedly, and even more beautifully, in the prose than in the verses. Though here, too, there is no lack of formula-like phrases and repetitions so characteristic of the Buddhist Suttas, yet the style is, on the whole, free from excessive verbosity. Almost all the pieces are short. Both in the prose and the verses, the language is simple, natural and not excessively flowery. Elaborate similes are rare, but some beautiful metaphors occur. Thus the generous man, who gives liberally to pious beggars, is compared with the rain-cloud, which pours its water over hill and vale (No. 75). Bad company is avoided by the sage, as even the spotless quiver is defiled by the poisoned arrow (No. 76). The senses are the gates which must be well guarded (Nos. 28 and 29). Buddha calls himself the incomparable healer and surgeon, and the monks his children and heirs (No. 100). The language of the prose rises to the most lofty flights in the piece (No. 27) about friendliness towards all beings (mettā) :