Читать книгу Garland of the Buddha's Past Lives (Volume 2) - Aryashura - Страница 43

Charming ponds were adorned with smiling lotuses and water-lilies, while flocks of wanton cuckoos cried out with joy. Soothing breezes blew, suffused with the fragrant scents of various flowers.

Clusters of multi-colored flowers blazed,

as if draped by the glory of spring.

Male cuckoos and peacocks sang.

Ponds were strewn with lotuses.

Fresh soft grass grew.

Drunken bees hummed.

It captivated the heart to see

these playgrounds of Desire.

21.20

The king courteously approached the Bodhi·sattva and sat down to one side after the usual friendly words of greeting had been exchanged. But when he saw the captivating sight of the ascetic lady, his heart was thrown into turmoil by her glorious beauty and his greedy nature made him consider how to kidnap her, even though he realized she was the Bodhi·sattva’s companion in virtue.

Though his composure was destroyed by Desire,

he did not rashly insult the ascetic.

For he had heard of the power of such austerity-rich

men,

how their blazing fury could make fiery curses.

“I will only know how to act after I ascertain his ascetic power,” the king reflected. “If his mind is ruled by passion for her, then he clearly possesses no ascetic power. But if he is devoid of passion, or shows only little regard for her, then he is likely to have enormous ascetic power.”