There he saw a restrained and concentrated saint sitting below a tree, who looked delicate and accustomed to comfort. (4)

When the king saw his figure, his astonishment at that ascetic's figure was very great and unequalled. (5)

'O his colour, O his figure, O the loveliness of the noble man, O his tranquillity, O his perfection, O his disregard for pleasures!' (6)

Adoring his feet and keeping him on his right side (he sat down), neither too far off nor too close by, and asked him with his hands clasped: (7)

'Though a young nobleman, you have entered the order; in an age fit for pleasure you exert yourself as a Sramana, O ascetic; I want to hear you explain this.' (8)

"I am without a protector, O great king; there is nobody to protect me, I know no friend nor any one to have sympathy with me." (9)

Then king Srenika, the ruler of Magadha, laughed: 'How should there be nobody to protect one so accomplished as you?' (to)

'I am the protector of religious men ; O monk; enjoy pleasures together with your friends and relations; for it is a rare chance to be born as a human being.' (11)

"You yourself are without a protector, Srenika, ruler of Magadha; and as you are without a protector, how can you protect anybody else?" (12)

When the saint had addressed this unprecedented speech to the king, who was greatly moved and astonished, and struck with astonishment, (he answered) : (13)

'I have horses, elephants, and subjects, a town and a seraglio, power and command: enjoy human pleasures. (14)

'In possession of so great means, which permit the owner to enjoy all pleasures, how could he be

without protection? Reverend sir, you speak untruth.' (15)

"O king, you do not know the meaning and origin of (the word) 'without protection,' nor how one comes to be without protection or with protection, O ruler of men. (16)

"Hear, O great king, with an undistracted mind in what way a man can be said to be 'without protection,' and with what purpose I have said all this. (17)

"There is a town Kausambi by name, which is among towns what Indra is (among the gods); there lived my father, who possessed great wealth. (18)

"In my childhood, O great king, I caught a very bad eye-disease and a severe burning fever in all my limbs, O ruler of men. (19)

"My eyes ached as if a cruel enemy thrust a sharp tool in the hollow of my body. (20)

"In the back, the heart , and the head, I suffered

dreadful and very keen pains equal to a stroke of lightning. (21)

"Then the best physicians came to my help, who cure by their medical art and by spells, who were versed in their science, and well knew spells and roots. (22)