At the time when the Bodhisattva, always having in view his purpose of saving the creatures, had fixed upon (the exercise of the pâramitâ of) compassion, as became his high-mindedness, and was always increasing in matchless virtues—charity, humility, self-restraint, tenderness, and the like, suitable for the benefit of the world, he was, it is said, a king kind-hearted towards all creatures, named Maitrîbala[1].
1, 2. This king felt the weal and the woe of his subjects as his own, and being skilled in the art of protecting them, he handled both his sword and his law in accordance with this feeling. Yet his sword was only an ornament to him, since the (other) kings waited for his orders, respectfully bowing their head-crests; his law, on the contrary, showed itself most openly in the measures he took for promoting the welfare of his people.
3. He dealt out punishments and rewards without infringing righteousness. In consequence of his goodness of heart and his political wisdom, he inquired into his subjects like a father.
So he ruled with righteousness, and while directing his veracity, his liberality, his tranquillity, his wisdom, and his other virtues to conduce to the welfare of others, he increased his store of exceedingly lofty actions, which are the due requisites for the attainment of Buddhahood. Now one day, five Yakshas, whom for some offence or other (Kubera) the Lord of the Yakshas had exiled from his dominions, came to his realm. These goblins were Ogohâras [that is, vigour-bereaving spirits], skilled in the art of killing others[2]. When they saw the kingdom exhibiting the aspect of the utmost prosperity, and became aware that the absence of every kind of calamity made the people
- ↑ This name signifies, 'he whose strength is kindness,' cp. stanza 14. The edition has here Maitrabalo, by a misprint, it seems.
- ↑ It is likely, those Yakshas were thought to possess the power of causing consumptive diseases; consumption is called in Sanskrit yakshma or râgayakshma. In the Divyâvadâna (295, 6) a râkshasa ogohârah is mentioned.
