257. Though they dwell in heaven, they are not born into the Unconscious state,
Nor are they destined to rebirth among the angels in the Pure Abodes.[168]
258. Bent upon renunciation, holy in the world and not of it,
They walk as acting for the world’s welfare, fulfilling all perfection.
While he was thus fulfilling the Perfections, there was no limit to the existences in which he fulfilled the Perfection of Almsgiving. As, for instance, in the times when he was the brahman Akitti, and the brahmin Saŋkha, and the king Dhanañjaya, and Mahā-sudassana, and Maha-govinda, and the king Nimi, and the prince Canda, and the merchant Visayha, and the king Sivi, and Vessantara. So, certainly, in the Birth as the Wise Hare, according to the words,[169]
259. When I saw one coming for food, I offered my own self,
There is no one like me in giving, such is my Perfection of Almsgiving,
he, offering up his own life, acquired the Supreme Perfection called the Perfection of Almsgiving.
In like manner there is no limit to the existences—as, for instance, in the times when he was the snake king Sīlava, and the snake king Campeyya, the snake king Bhūridatta, the snake king Chad-danta, and the prince Alīnasattu, son of king Jayaddisa—in which he fulfilled the Perfection of Goodness. So, certainly, in the Saŋkhapāla Birth, according to the words,
260. Even when piercing me with stakes, and striking me with javelins,