not for want of courtesy, that I ask so, nor is it a deed of irreverence, nor do I aim at showing lack of devotion towards Thy Majesty. Not at all, but,
38. 'Contemplating thy superhuman wonderful shape, which though shining gently, is still blazing with brilliancy, I fear the sight of thee, however mildly shining, lest it should cause any want of strictness in the fulfilment of my penance.'
Then Sakra bowed to him, circumambulated him from left to right, and disappeared on the spot. And lo, at daybreak the Bodhisattva perceived plenty of divine food and drink, brought thither by the power of Sakra, and many hundreds of Pratyekabuddhas called by the invitation of Sakra, also many angels (devaputras) high girded, ready to wait on them.
39. Supplying in this way with food and drink the wants of those most holy sages, the Muni obtained a sublime joy; and he delighted in living after the manner suitable for ascetics, in performing his boundless vow of meditation (dhyâna), and in tranquillity.
In this manner, then, a heroic practice of liberality is an ornament even in ascetics, how much more in householders.
[So considering, a virtuous man must adorn himself with heroic constancy of giving. This (story) must also be adduced, when treating of the gladness caused to a liberal and charitable man; when blaming covetousness, hatred, infatuation, and foolishness; when preaching on the virtue of the intercourse with a pious friend, or on contentment. Likewise in discourses on the magnanimity of the Tathâgata: 'So our Lord was an inexhaustible mine of jewels of excellent sayings, when still in his former existences, how much more so was he after attaining Complete Wisdom.']
VIII. The Story of Maitrîbala.
Being afflicted by the sufferings of others, the intensely compassionate do not mind their own pleasure. This will be taught as follows.
