Pre-Buddhist India: A Political, Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey of Ancient India Based Mainly on the Jataka Stories c4.t1.41

c4.t1.41

Evils that attend to the slothful king are very aptly described in the *Gaṇḍatiṇḍu Jātaka*¹ which reflects a bold philosophy of action and does not preach passivity as is generally attributed to Buddhism. "*Appamādo amatapadam, pamādo maccuno padam*".² "Zeal is the way to Eternal Bliss, but sloth leads to Death"—is the keystone, the essence, of this sturdy doctrine. A slothful king paves the way for the ruin of himself and his kingdom which falls a prey to robbers and spoilers. Whereas the man who arising betimes (*kālutthāyin*) unwearied and orderly is, his oxen and kine thrive apace, and riches increasing are his.