56, 57. 'No doubt, all your exertions tend to the salvation of all creatures; yet deign to take a special care of us, pray do not forget us at that time[1]. And now forgive us what we have done from ignorance, causing you to be thus tortured: we did not understand even our own interest.
58. 'Further, we beg you to show us your favour by giving us some injunction which we may follow. Do it with the same confidence, as you would to your own officials.'
Upon which the king, knowing them to be converted and to have lost their hard-heartedness, spoke in this manner: 'Do not be in trouble without reason. It is no torment, in fact it is a benefit you have conferred on me. Moreover,
59. 'The path of righteousness (dharma) being thus (difficult), how should I ever forget my companions on that road, when once I shall have attained Supreme Wisdom (bodhi)? My first teaching of the Lore of Liberation shall be to you; to you I shall impart of that ambrosia first.
60. 'And if you now intend to do what may be agreeable to me, you must avoid like poison these sins: doing harm to others, coveting the goods or wives of others, speaking evil, and drinking intoxicating liquors.'
The Yakshas promised to do so, and having bowed to him and circumambulated him from left to right, disappeared on the spot.
But when the Great Being had made up his mind to give away his own flesh and blood, at that very time
61, 62. Earth trembled in many places and caused the Golden Mountain to waver, in consequence of which concussion the drums on that mountain began to sound and the trees to cast off their flowers. These spread about in the sky, and moved by the wind appeared like a cloud; at one place, like a flight of birds, they
- ↑ Viz. 'at the time of your All-knowingness, when you will have reached Buddhahood.'
