The horse-dealer bowed down before the King, and said, “I acknowledge, O King, that a measure of rice is the value of the five hundred horses; but will the King be pleased to ask the valuer what the value of the measure of rice may be?”
The King, not knowing what had happened, asked, “How now, valuer, what are five hundred horses worth?”
“A measure of rice, O King!” said he.
“Very good, then! If five hundred horses are worth only a measure of rice, what is that measure of rice worth?”
“The measure of rice is worth all Benares, both within and without the walls,” replied that foolish fellow.
For the story goes that he first valued the horses at a measure of rice just to please the King; and then, when he had taken the dealer’s bribe, valued that measure of rice at the whole of Benares. Now at that time the circumference of the rampart of Benares was twelve leagues, and the land in its suburbs was three hundred leagues in extent. Yet the foolish fellow estimated that so-great city of Benares, together with all its suburbs, at a measure of rice!
Hearing this the ministers clapped their hands, laughing, and saying, “We used to think the broad earth, and the King’s realm, were alike beyond price; but this great and famous royal city is worth, by his account, just a measure of rice! O the depth of the wisdom of the valuer! How can he have stayed so long in office? Truly he is just suited to our King!” Thus they laughed him to scorn.
Then the Bodisat uttered this stanza:
“What is a measure of rice worth?
All Benares and its environs!