Now the Bodhisattva, considering the eagerness of his desire to hear the Law, knew him to have become a fit vessel. He spoke: 'Being then desirous of hearing the Law, it is right that you listen to its preaching in the proper attitude suitable for that act. Look here.
69, 70. 'Sitting on a lower seat, which betokens illustrious modesty; enjoying the honey of the (sacred) words with eyes expanding from gladness, so to speak; bending one's mind calm and pure to the most intense reverential attention—in this way one must listen devoutly to the preaching of the Law, as a sick man to the words of a doctor.'
Then the son of Sudâsa covered a slab of stone with his upper garment, and having offered this higher seat to the Bodhisattva, himself sat down on the naked earth before the visage of the Bodhisattva. After which, keeping his eyes fixed with attention on his face, he invited the Great Being: 'Speak now, sir[228].' Then the Bodhisattva opened his mouth and filling as it were the forest with his voice deep and sonorous, like the lovely sound of a new-formed rain-cloud, spoke:
71.
'Meeting a virtuous person but once and by chance will suffice for
Friendship strong and for ever, not wanting repeated assurance.'
On hearing this gâthâ, the son of Sudâsa exclaimed, 'Well said! well said!' and nodding his head and waving his fingers said to the Bodhisattva: 'Go on, go on.'
Then the Bodhisattva uttered the second gâthâ.
72.
'From virtuous persons thou shouldst never keep remote,