While he was thus affected with amazement and admiration, the Bodhisattva drew near, saying:
46. 'I have obtained that treasure of well-said sentences, I have rewarded the indigent man who presented me with it, and gladness has been procured to my mind, thanks to you. Now I am back here. Eat me, if such is your desire, or use me as a victim at your sacrifice.'
The son of Sudâsa spoke:
47. 'I am not in a hurry to eat you; moreover, this funeral pile is still smoky, and flesh gets its proper relish only when roasted on a smokeless fire. Let us hear meanwhile these well-said sentences.'
The Bodhisattva replied: 'Of what use is it to you, in such a state, to listen to holy sentences?
48. 'You adopted this mode of living merciless to your subjects for the sake of your belly. Now these stanzas praise righteousness. Righteousness does not go together with injustice.
49. 'Following the wicked manner of life of Râkshasas and having left the way of the pious[227], you do not possess faith, still less righteousness. What will you do with holy texts?'
This contempt roused the impatience of the son of Sudâsa. He answered: 'Do not speak so, sir.
50. 'Where is that king, say, who does not kill with his bent bow in his park the mates of the hinds of the forest? If I in a similar way kill men for my livelihood, I am the unjust one, so it is said, not those killers of deer!'
The Bodhisattva spoke: