Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

LUST. 151
ingorant man. Hell, indeed, has its gyves and
fetters, but the wise man regards not these as cap-
tivity; the foolish man who is immersed in cares
about wife and chUd and their personal adornment,
he it is who is in real captivity. The wise man re-
gards lust as the imprisonment of hell, as the hard
bound fetter from which it is difficult to escape, and
therefore he desires to separate this and cut it off
for ever, that being free from any such cares (or,
desires), he may find rest and peace." ^
The Brahnian on hearing these words inquired as to
their meaning, on which the Shaman explained, that in
former years the bird (cock) which he had just eaten was
his father, that the little boy his son had been a Eaksha,
and had eaten the father, and that his wife had been in
former days his mother—and thus it was he was involved
in the utmost disgrace. On hearing these words the
Brahman, filled with fear, besought Buddha, who had now
assumed his glorious appearance, to instruct him in the
rules of his society, and finaEy obtained release and
entered the first path.
3. In days of old when Buddha was residing at the Jetavana
Vih§,ra near &4vastl, there was a young Bhikshu,
who, in going through the streets of the city on a begging
excursion, cast eyes on a girl of exceeding beauty, and
was filled with passion for her. Being unable to conquer
his desire, he fell sick, and was unable to eat or sleep, and
pined away daily. On this a fellow disciple went to him,
and asked him how it was he suffered thus, on which the
first revealed the whole matter to the other, and in the
end they both went to the place where Buddha was, and
explained the thing to him. On this Buddha promised to
find a remedy for the Bhikshu's malady, and forthwith
' Compare vers. 345, 346 of the Pali.