Читать книгу Garland of the Buddha's Past Lives (Volume 2) - Aryashura - Страница 47

21.30

When the ascetic lady heard this command, her face became distraught with fear and despair, resembling a forest deer chased by a ferocious wild beast. Her eyes welled up with tears and her throat stuttered as she uttered various laments in distress:

“Like a father, the king protects

people afflicted by distress.

But if the king wrongs a person,

to whom should one appeal then?

The world-guardians must have fallen from office!

Perhaps they do not exist! Or are dead!

For they make no effort to protect the distressed.

Morality itself is, I believe, but a rumor.

But why mention the gods?

My lord stays silent, despite my fate.

When wronged by evil beings,

even a stranger should surely be protected.

He could transform a mountain into a memory

by striking it with his thunder-curse of ‘Perish!’.

Yet he stays silent, despite my plight.

Such is the small fortune I have in life.

21.35

Perhaps I am evil and unworthy of pity,

having fallen on this misfortune?

But is it not the path of ascetics to act

with compassion toward those in distress?