[1] Kah-gyur, iv. ff. 233–236. [↑]
[2] In Tibetan, Sartsi-ldan, which is evidently a corrupt form.—S. Professor Schiefner has in one instance altered the name from Sarjarasin to Archismant. [↑]
[3] The equivalent of the Sanskrit yogapaṭṭa. See Böhtlingk-Roth.—S. “The cloth thrown over the back and knees of an ascetic during meditation.” [↑]
XVIII.
THE TWO BROTHERS.[1]
In long past times, a king came to the throne in the palace of a country well provided with riches, prosperity, good harvests, and numerous inhabitants. Some time afterwards his wife became with child, and, after the lapse of eight or nine months, gave birth to a very handsome boy, complete in limbs and joints, whose skin was the colour of gold, whose head stood out like a canopy, and who had long arms, a broad forehead, interlacing eyebrows, and a high-arched nose. At his birth there occurred many thousands of happy events. When his birth-feast was held, and the question arose as to giving him a name, the ministers said, “O king, as many thousands of happy events have taken place at his birth, let him be called Ksheman·kara.[2]” This name was given to him, and he was entrusted to eight nurses, two to carry him, two to suckle him, two to cleanse him, and two to play with him. These nurses brought him up on various milk products and other excellent forms of nourishment, so that he shot up like a lotus in a pool.
The king’s wife again became with child, and after the lapse of eight or nine months a boy was born, at whose birth many thousands of unfortunate events took place, on which account there was given to him the name of Pāpan·kara.[3] He also thrived apace and grew up. [[280]]
The young Ksheman·kara, who was of a friendly and merciful nature, and compassionate towards all living creatures, loved to give, taking his delight in bestowing, and conferred gifts upon the Śramaṇas and Brahmans, the poor and the needy who begged of him. His father said to him, “O son, do not be constantly making presents. If you give away so freely, where are we to find the necessary riches?”
Now, in accordance with the nature of things, many men take delight in gifts and giving, and when they thus delight themselves their fame is extolled in words and verses, and celebrated in all parts of the world. The king of another country, who had heard of the great virtues of the prince, wished to give him his daughter. The prince’s father was highly pleased, and wanted to go to meet her. But Ksheman·kara said, “Until I have acquired wealth I will not marry. Allow me, O father, to go to sea.” He replied, “Do so.” When he set forth for the sea with his merchandise, his brother, Pāpan·kara, said to himself—